Middle School Glee Club Sings Its Way To $10,000 For Music Education
Traverse City West Middle School Named "Fruitables Best School Music Mash-Up In America"
Port Washington, N.Y., June 4, 2010 - As many music and arts education programs face severe budget cuts, some schools are taking funding into their own hands. Traverse City West Middle School, in Traverse City, Mich., is no exception. After learning about a contest in which they had the opportunity to earn $10,000 toward their school's music program, the middle school vocal group created, performed and videotaped an original mash-up of two songs for America's consideration. With great talent, and the support of an entire community behind it, the school secured the coveted title, "Best School Music Mash-Up in America" and will receive $10,000 from Fruitables - a mash-up of fruit and vegetable juice - to help support the continuation of its music program.
The Michigan school receives the lowest level of public education funding provided by the state. Despite the lack of funding, the impassioned students and Traverse City community have created a "world class music program," says Alison Arnold, president of the district music boosters program. To achieve this, the students and community take it upon themselves to fundraise and make up for lost dollars. The $10,000 grand prize from Fruitables will help ensure a strong music program for years to come.
"We are very proud to be able to contribute to the Traverse City West Middle School music education fund," said Gordon Crane, CEO of Apple & Eve, maker of Fruitables. "We strongly believe in the importance of music and arts education and have made it the mission of our Fruitables brand to not only help this special vocal group, but to help support this cause in schools across the country."
The Traverse City West Middle School Madrigal Singers, led by Phil Johnson, was chosen as the contest winner based on its mash-up performance of "Cable Car (Over my Head)" by the Fray and "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5. The school's entry was initially chosen as a finalist by an independent panel of judges that included Cory Monteith of FOX's Glee and was finally chosen as the winning performance by America in an online national vote. The performance is now posted online at www.Facebook.com/AppleandEve.
The search for the best school music mash-up in America is a part of "Seeding the Arts," Fruitables' larger mission to support underfunded music and arts programs in schools across America. Fruitables has initiated its commitment by teaming up with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to support the organization's mission to restore instrumental music education programs in American public schools, and to raise awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. In addition to an initial donation of $25,000, Apple & Eve will make an additional $1 donation to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation for each new Apple & Eve Facebook® Fan until August 31, 2010 up to a maximum donation of $5,000.
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About The Fruitables School Music Mash-Up
As a means of encouraging creativity and fostering arts education for young students, Apple & Eve® FruitablesTM and Cory Monteith - from FOX TV's Glee - teamed up in search of the best school music mash-up in America. Elementary and middle school choruses, grades K-8, were eligible to enter by submitting a video of their mash-up performance, along with a 100-word essay describing their school's need for music program funding. Entries from across the country were submitted and then narrowed by an independent panel of judges. For two weeks America then had the opportunity to view all of the finalists' performances and vote for their favorite at www.Facebook.com/AppleandEve. The winning school received $10,000 toward music education, and each of the nine finalists received $1,000.
About Apple & Eve
Apple & Eve is one of the largest independently owned juice companies in the U.S., with total sales of over $200 million. Founded in 1975 by Gordon Crane, and headquartered in Port Washington, NY, the company is known for its great tasting, innovative and healthy juice products. Apple & Eve markets a complete line of juices, including Apple & Eve 100% pure juices and Northland dark fruit juice blends. Apple & Eve also markets the Sesame Street line of juices for children, the Seneca brand, and Apple & Eve Organics. Apple & Eve natural products are found in supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, drug stores, health food stores and convenience stores across the country.
About VH1 Save The Music Foundation
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $45 million in new musical instruments to 1,700 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.4 million children. With the support of people across the country and the 2010-2011 Ambassador Class including: OneRepublic, Chrisette Michele, Nick Lachey, Mandy Moore, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Fall Out Boy, Colbie Caillat, it is The Foundation's renewed commitment to donate one hundred million dollars worth of new musical instruments to ensure that even a greater number of students receive a comprehensive music education in the coming decade. Get involved and learn more at www.vh1savethemusic.com.
About Cory Monteith
Cory can currently be seen starring in FOX's Golden Globe winning musical-comedy "Glee," created by Ryan Murphy. The show focuses on a high school Glee Club and the efforts taken to save the underdog character's dreams. Cory plays Finn Hudson, the high school quarterback who, after reluctantly joining the club, becomes one of its primary leaders. The runaway hit show has also taken home a SAG Award in its debut season. This spring, Cory will join his "Glee" cast mates in a sold out nationwide tour performing hits from the show.
Contact:
Jennifer Moore
jmoore@hunterpr.com
Daniel Mazier
dmazier@hunterpr.com
(212) 679-6600
