MAYOR BLOOMBERG, VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION AND TIME WARNER CABLE ANNOUNCE MILLION DOLLAR DONATION WORTH OF NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

NEW YORK, October 12, 2006 - Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, VH1 General Manager Tom Calderone, and Howard Szarfarc, President, Time Warner Cable today announced the donation of $1 million worth of new musical instruments to the New York City public school system from the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.  The donation was made as part of The Foundation’s commitment to restoring music education in schools throughout the country and brings the 10 year total donation to New York City Public Schools to more than $6.5 million worth of musical instruments to restore music education in 247 schools. Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, NYC Big Event President and CEO Maureen J. Reidy, Hip Hop recording artist Ice-T, and a student band made up of musicians from IS 278 and PS 129 will perform at the announcement at PS 129 in Harlem. 

“We have a responsibility to provide New York City students with a sound education and the tools to succeed inside and outside the classroom,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Music education is crucial to the development of our children. Arts education programs can play a major role in improving attendance, retention and parental involvement in a child’s education. Working with great partners like the VH1 Save the Music Foundation is just one of the innovative and creative ways of introducing music and culture in our classrooms.”

“All students should have access to music education and all of its benefits,” said Tom Calderone, General Manager and Executive Vice President, VH1. “The VH1 Save The Music Foundation believes that music is a universal language and gives students lifelong tools to achieve success beyond music. This year’s donation of $1 million to the New York City Public Schools brings the Foundation closer to its overall mission, to restore music education programs for one million public school students and give them the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve through music.”

“Musical education is a powerful and enriching experience that can profoundly impact a child's life,” said Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. “The instruments that the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has donated to New York City schools have helped us enormously in our commitment to giving students the chance to experience the joy and the excitement of music.”

“When VH1 Save The Music launched in 1997, Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey was the founding partner in building The Foundation.  Today, we continue to be committed to this important initiative, and we are happy to provide our resources to broadening awareness and prepare students for future success,” stated Howard Szarfarc, President, Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aims to emphasize the importance of instrumental music as an integral part of a child’s education.  Research has shown that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse.

Since the VH1 Save The Music Foundation was created in 1997, $34 million worth of new musical instruments have been donated to 1,400 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 800,000 children. In New York City, contributions to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation from The New York State Music Fund, The Imre and Vera Hecht Foundation, Independence Community Bank, Curve Fragrances by Liz Claiborne, Nikon, and John Varvatos helped to make today’s donation possible.  Manny’s Music, Sam Ash Music and SoundTree, Korg’s education division helped deliver instruments to this year’s grant recipient schools.