MUZAK HEART & SOUL FOUNDATION

Causes: Education, Elementary & Secondary Schools, Literacy

Mission: Music inspires passion and fuels dreams.  Any child who picks up an instrument or a microphone longs to share their creativity with the world.  Music education helps young people channel that desire for creative expression into dedication and commitment.  And the skills they learn along the way--discipline, critical thinking, self-esteem, teamwork--help young musicians find success throughout their studies and in any career path they choose. The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was established to support and redefine music education.  Since 1998, we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of young people--by increasing access to unique music education opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Our initiatives focus on two critical areas: 1) Maintain traditional classroom-based programs and access to instruments and 2) Provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for young musicians to participate in and explore career paths within the music industry.

Results: Noise! The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation has produced seven consecutive, successful Noise! camps in New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Nashville. With 224 program graduates, over 70 adult volunteer counselors, and more than 100 music industry professionals, Noise! is building the future of the music industry. Our graduates have all enrolled in college, the majority with a major in music/music business. Their resumes include: full scholarship to Berklee School of Music, performed Live at the Appollo, built recording studios, opened recording/production studios, signed record deals, performed live at a Grammy after-party, worked at a radio station, songwriter in Nashville, worked at the William Morris Agency and more. All students are utilizing the business skills and etiquette they acquired at Noise! and are on the path to become business professionals. Music Matters Grant Program The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation has awarded grants totaling $84,000 to 23 initiatives in 2008. Since 1998, the Foundation has given over $1 million dollars to over 90 schools nationwide in support of local music programs. Battle of the Bands Battle of the Bands rocked Charlotte, NC and Nashville, TN in 2008 with great live music from up-and-coming local artists. It was a competition with local celebrity emcees, real music industry judges, 1000 audience members voting and 20 phenomenal high school “garage” bands. It was great fun…it was for a great cause…it was a battle for music education.

Target demographics: Noise! Noise! is a unique summer program for teens (15-17 years old) who long to understand & be a part of the music industry. At Noise! students learn from a wide range of role models including artist managers, record label producers, music critics, audio architects & other industry insiders. They receive a first-hand look at the environments within which these industry professionals work. They explore various careers within the music industry—better equipping them to pursue their dreams & turning those dreams into real world opportunity. Thirty-two students with a passion for music are selected nationwide & given a full scholarship to attend Noise!. The camp is held every summer in a major music industry hub. Music Matters Grant Program Over the last several decades, music education programs in public schools have been jeopardized or eliminated by frequent budget cuts. Music Matters helps fund music departments plus provides instruments & supplemental materials to restore music education programs. Music Matters grants are designed to support band, orchestra, choral & other music education programs for K-12 students.  Highest consideration is given to those programs meeting one or more of the following needs: programs involving innovative educational reform; programs serving economically disadvantaged students; programs with established, collaborative partnerships with parent-teacher-student associations & other community groups; & programs in need of basic materials such as instruments and sheet music. Battle of the Bands The Battle of the Bands is a contest in which high school “garage” bands compete for the title of “best band”. Battle of the Bands gives high school musicians a rare chance to perfect their performance skills outside a band or orchestra setting. Each band receives constructive feedback & scores from knowledgeable music critics. Student bands win a prize package designed to jumpstart their shot at success in the music industry.

Geographic areas served: Nationwide

Programs: The organization makes grants to schools across the country to support music education.