Press Releases

NASHVILLE ALLIANCE, CMA AND RASCAL FLATTS’ JAY DeMARCUS MAKE SPECIAL DELIVERY TO McGAVOCK HIGH SCHOOL
Nashville Alliance Has Raised More Than $20 Million For Public Schools

The Nashville Alliance for Public Education, with the help of Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and the Country Music Association, surprised music students at McGavock High School with a brand-new piano from Steinway galleries on Tuesday.

“The old piano at McGavock High School was in such disrepair that keys did not work and students could not play music properly,” said Pam Garrett, executive director of the Nashville Alliance. “Now, thanks to the Country Music Association, we were able to provide this piano for a very deserving group of students.” “As artists we donate our time to the CMA Music Festival so that we’re able to give back,” said DeMarcus. “Music education was very important in my life, and because of that, I’m able to do what I do today.”

The Nashville Alliance has also made piano deliveries to Hillwood High School, Whites Creek High School and Cane Ridge High School this week.

The organization partners with the Country Music Association with its “Keep the Music Playing” program, which supports music education in Metro Public Schools. Since 2006, the program has raised more than $2 million from the proceeds of the annual CMA Music Festival to purchase much-needed musical instruments and equipment.

Nashville Alliance representatives recently announced that the CMA’s more than $1 million donation from the 2008 CMA Music Festival has put the organization over $20 million in contributions to Metro Public Schools since 2004.

Funds raised by the organization have been responsible for the development of multiple projects, including the Martin Professional Development Center – a state-of-the-art training facility opened in May of 2008, which is dedicated to developing educators. Donations through the Nashville Alliance have made it possible for the Martin Center to include the 7,200-square-foot Turner Hall that accommodates up to 500 guests, 10 classrooms, a Dell technology wing with four training labs and wireless Internet access throughout the building.

“Achieving the $20 million mark is a direct result of the collective hard work, dedication and generosity put forth by many people and organizations,” Garrett said. “People are seeing how their contributions can make an impact on the lives of children growing up right in their own neighborhoods.”

Robert Lipman, Nashville Alliance for Public Education chairman, says that funds raised by the Nashville Alliance are benefiting Nashville public school students in a variety of ways. The Nashville Alliance has added digital microscopes in Metro high schools, assisted the district with developing debate teams, supported the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, improved athletic fields, and funded libraries and reading initiatives.

“It is a common misconception that public schools do not need additional funding outside of the money they receive from the government,” Lipman said. “Government money goes only so far when it comes to providing the best equipment, the best facilities and the best opportunities for public school students. That is why the Nashville Alliance was founded – to help fund the important initiatives that fall outside of the school budget.”

About the Nashville Alliance for Public Education The Nashville Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing private resources to help improve Metro Nashville Public Schools. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $20 million to advance student success in key academic areas such as reading, language arts, music, math and science, and teacher training.

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