On Tuesday, July 21st, 15 students from VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant recipient, The School District of Philadelphia participated in the White House Music Series in Washington D.C. To date, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has granted $1,180,000 worth of new musical instruments to restore music education in 45 Philadelphia public schools over the last 10 years.  The Foundation will be granting $60,000 worth of new instruments to two more Philadelphia schools this Fall.

“It was an honor to have the VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant recipient students participate in the White House music series,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “To see the smiles on the students faces as they entered the White House and watched Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley perform for them was truly rewarding. We are extremely grateful that the musicians were so open in sharing their journeys with music and inspiring the students to continue their music education and pursue their dreams.”

The Country Music event included an educational component for 120 young musicians, including the VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant recipient students, in the afternoon, and a concert and reception in the evening. The educational workshop brought students to the White House to celebrate this uniquely American art form and learn directly from Country Music stars.  The students were in awe and inspired from the time they entered the White House to the time they left. Allison Krauss, 26-time Grammy Award Winner and Brad Paisley performed and spoke to the students about their careers and song writing technique.

“On behalf of The School District of Philadelphia, it was an honor for Philadelphia students to be asked by the White House and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to participate in the White House Music Series,” School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman said.  “Making sure all public school children in Philadelphia have a quality arts education is a priority in Imagine 2014, our five-year strategic plan to reform public education in Philadelphia. Arts education is important to help compliment and complete the education of the whole child.” 

The purpose of the White House Music Series is to celebrate the arts and demonstrate the importance of arts education to reinvigorate the creativity and innovation that has made this country great.  To remain competitive in the global economy, it is important to nourish children’s creative skills, in addition to science and math skills, and encourage the ability to think creatively, which is fostered by a meaningful arts education. The music series launched with a jazz theme on June 15th and will feature classical music this September. Country Music was the theme of the event on July 21st.