INDIANAPOLIS SUPERINTENDENT DR. DUNCAN N.P. PRITCHETT JR. RECEIVES FIRST ANNUAL VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATOR AWARD

Award Given for Distinguished Support of Music Education

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - Feb. 17, 2005 - Duncan N. P. "Pat" Pritchett Jr., superintendent of the Indianapolis Public Schools, has been named the recipient of the first annual Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education. Pritchett was chosen for his commitment to saving district-wide music education programs in his 39,000-student school system, where he has served as superintendent since 1997. The award is co-sponsored by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the American Association of School Administrators and will be given at AASA's 137th National Conference on Education being held February 17 through 20 in San Antonio. The award will be presented each year at AASA's national conference to one superintendent or school CEO at the local level.

With the support of the IPS Board of School Commissioners, Pritchett has worked to rebuild the district's instrumental music programs that had all but disappeared due to severe financial crises through much of the early 1990s. Pritchett granted approval for the creation of a music advisory board consisting solely of music educators in the school system and later mandated instrumental music programs for all middle and high schools. He led the system in adding two credits in fine arts to the district's high school graduation requirements and expanded the instructional staff in fine arts. Pritchett also restored funding to the district's high school marching band programs, including the All-City Marching Band and citywide marching band competitions.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation formed a partnership with the Indianapolis Public Schools in 2000. Together, VH1 Save The Music and local partner Bright House Networks has provided the district with $450,000 worth of new instruments to jumpstart instrumental music programs in 18 elementary schools. Due to IPS' commitment to provide instructors to each school VH1 Save The Music and Bright House Networks will provide instruments to additional schools each year until all 55 elementary schools in IPS have access to instrumental music education.

Most recently, the Board of School Commissioners approved Pritchett's recommendation to create a position of district music coordinator to oversee all music education programming. The board also created an art coordinator post, to ensure that the art programs in IPS thrive.

"Dr. Pritchett not only puts his money where his words are, but also his time," said Linda Poulter, the district's music coordinator. "He comes to everything he possibly can. He is often seen in the audience of individual school programs, sitting there amongst parents, watching students as if they were his very own children.,"

This charity concert on Saturday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) will feature eight local musical acts that care about the state of musical education in local communities.

"In the first 'Rock for a Cause' concert we used the concept of music helping music to support the victims of the station night club who lost their lives supporting the music they loved. In this second 'Rock for a Cause,' our focus has turned to the future musicians of the world," said Sean Dooley, a student organizer of the concert. "Our aim is to give kids a chance to learn and better the world through their talents; we need music in our schools."

"Research proves that a strong arts program, including music education, positively impacts academic achievement," said AASA Executive Director Paul Houston. "Education is more than test scores. Its fundamental purpose is to give wings to children's dreams. Music education is an important part of the K-12 educational experience. That's why we are proud to honor Dr. Pritchett with this inaugural award for his commitment to restoring music education in the Indianapolis school system. ""Dr. Pritchett's contributions to restoring music education in IPS truly embody the intent of this award. The large part that music plays in the life of an IPS graduate is a testament to his commitment to ensuring that all students have access to the benefits of music education," said VH1 Save The Music Foundation Executive Director, Paul Cothran.

Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, more than $25 million worth of new musical instruments has been donated to 1,000 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children. VH1 Save The Music's many honors include the Governors' Award (a special Emmy Award), the George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast and cable excellence, and many Beacon Awards.

AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. AASA's major focus is standing up for public education.