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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Music plays again in the Trenton public school system.
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation hosted a musical showcase June 9 at the Joyce Kilmer Middle School in Trenton to celebrate the rebuilding of music programs in 14 of the 17 elementary and middle public schools in the city. The three remaining schools will receive grants in the fall, a spokesperson for VH1 Save The Music told The Asbury Park Press (http://on.app.com/1YjmLxb ).
More than 300 students were on hand, as well as Trenton mayor Eric Jackson and VH1 and MTV personality Sway Calloway, at the showcase.
"We are grateful to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation for helping us restore instrumental music programming to Trenton public schools," said Jackson in a statement prior to the event. "We know that when we integrate instrumental music programs into our students' overall studies, they learn many lifelong skills that help them develop into well-grounded, intelligent, creative leaders.
The Trenton public school system music programs became a focus of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation five years ago. The goal is for each school to have a comprehensive band and string music education program; to have music be a part of the regular school day; and to have a certified music educator in each school. The school system was recently recognized by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Any Given Child Program , which recognizes school systems that use the arts to improve the learning experience.
"We could not be more proud of the complete transformation we have seen in the Trenton Public Schools, thanks in large part to our generous donors and supportive leaders in the schools and community," said Henry Donahue, executive director of VH1 Save The Music, in a statement. "Trenton sets a great example for communities across the country of how collaboration, determination and the power of music can transform children's lives."
VH1 Save The Music donated $460,000 to the schools of Trenton. The Singer Family Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Bai drink company of Princeton and Loser's Music Store in Lebanon, PA., have also supported the Trenton schools.
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Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, http://www.app.com
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