Sound-off Spring Summer 2014 newsletter

SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Quarterly news from Education Through Music

Empire State Building Lights Up To Support Education Through Music Students and Schools On Tuesday, May 6, the Empire State Building was shining brightly in support of Education Through Music partner schools and students, in ETM’s signature purple color. The lighting of New York City’s most famous building helped to bring significant attention to ETM, which coincided with the 2014 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala, held at Capitale that evening. Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Universal Music Classics, was honored at the Gala.

A lighting ceremony was held at 1 pm in the lobby of the Empire State Building. Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell and Miss America Nina Davuluri flipped the switch on a giant model of the building, with dozens of media covering the event. They then went to the 86th floor for photos and press interviews.

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Above: Orchestra students from PS 68 in the Bronx perform at the 2014 ETM Gala.

Left: The Empire State Building was lit in ETM’s signature purple color on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, as part of the 2014 Education Through Music Children’s Benefit Gala.

Quality music education for all children

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Education Through Music Newsletter

Founders Eldon C. Mayer, Jr. Edmund R. Schroeder Administrative Staff Katherine Damkohler Executive Director

Rainah Berlowitz Director of Operations

Katherine Canning Director of Development & Program Evaluation

Tim Lemberger Director of Marketing & Communications

Kristen Pappas Evaluation Manager

Leslie Gordon Maraiya Hakeem Krystal Valentin Development Associates

Lina Li Bookkeeper

Elizabeth Weiner HR Management Consultant

Program Staff Peter Pauliks Director of Programs

Nicholas LaFleur Assistant Program Director

Meryl Cullom Catriona O’Dwyer David Wilson Field Supervisors

Gordon Green Program Associate

Board of Directors Michael R. Schaefer

ETM Gala Features Empire State Building Lighting Continued from front page

The ETM Gala held that evening set a new fundraising record, with support from over 300 companies and individuals. Premier Benefactors for the event included Katherine D. Elliott and Richard S. Abramson, Andrew J. Malik, Needham & Company, and Universal Music Classics. Grand Benefactors included Richard Bernstein and Janice Abbott, Coty Inc., and Karen Karlsrud and Raymond Mikulich.

The highlight of the evening was performances by students from ETM partner schools. The evening opened with students from the PS 76 Jazz Band performing, led by ETM partner school teacher Jessica Parr. Students from additional ETM partner schools sang “You Have Wings to Fly” and “Oye.” Students from the PS 68 fifth grade string orchestra performed “Guantanamera.”

Additional music performances included Grammy Award-winning violin-

ist Joshua Bell, singer Jane Monheit, and jazz group The Hot Sardines.

The event also honored Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Universal Music Classics. “The fact that Education Through Music can provide music education to 15,000 students across 28 schools is a kind of miracle,” said Sobol. “And I think it’s essential for all of us who care about this to be out there, to be actively supporting and enabling this organization to bring it to twice as many, ten times as many. Let’s get the music out there to every kid, in every school.”

The event was also attended by several celebrities and socialites, who helped to bring attention to the need for music education in schools.

Julianna Margulies, star of the hit TV series “The Good Wife,” attended with her husband, Keith Lieberthal. Actor Josh Lucas attended, along with Miss America Nina Davuluri.

Chairman

Emily H. Susskind Robert A. Weisstuch Vice-Chairs

Katherine D. Elliott Treasurer

Edmund R. Schroeder Chairman Emeritus

Aly Alibhai Joshua Bell Richard Bernstein Rick Dobbis Jennifer M. Goff Victor J. Goldberg Karen M. Karlsrud Anthony F. Lo Cicero Andrew J. Malik Joseph F. McDonald Lori A. Murphy Amie Patel Edward J. Petner David E. Stiepleman Manoj Susarla Steven Williams advisory committee The 5 Browns Misha Dichter Marilyn Horne Jane Remer Thomas Sobol Harold Tanner

Thank You to the 2014 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala Sponsors PREMIER BENEFACTOR Katherine D. Elliott and

Richard S. Abramson Andrew J. Malik,

Needham & Company LLC Universal Music Classics

BENEFACTOR Aly and Shazma Alibhai Benchmark Builders Inc. Cassidy Turley Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Walter and Katherine Damkohler Rick Dobbis & Mary Ann Koenig GRAND BENEFACTOR Jennifer Goff Richard Bernstein and Safra National Bank

Janice Abbott Michael Schaefer Coty Inc. Edmund and Elaine Schroeder Karen Karlsrud and Elizabeth Sobol

Raymond Mikulich Manoj Susarla Thanks to the following for purchasing 2014 VIP tickets: Carol Bilotti; Richard and Eslyn Bassuk; Colette and Daniel Bennett; Leigh Damkohler; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Epstein; Bruce Goldfarb; Melanie Fallon-Houska/Penguin Random House; and Anthony LoCicero.

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Education Through Music Newsletter

New ETM Research for 2012-2013 Shows Higher Student Achievement Students in schools featuring Education Through Music program score higher on NYS Math and English Language Arts Assessments in comparison to peer schools New York City students receiving music education as part of their core curriculum achieved significantly higher proficiency rating averages on the New York State Math and English Language Arts Assessment than students in peer schools, according to new research by Education Through Music.

Of the students participating in the study, those in schools with comprehensive music education programs administered by ETM registered a 5.4% higher average than peer students in Math and a 4.6% higher average in English Language Arts.

On average, students in the study in ETM partner schools had a proficiency rating of 2.52 in Math, compared to 2.39 for peer schools (on a scale of 1.0 to 4.5), and 2.50 in English Language Arts, compared to 2.39 for peer schools.

“While there is ample evidence documenting the ability of children to learn better when music is part of their school routine,” says Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director of

Education Through Music, “what we are seeing here is how comprehensive music education can potentially have a ‘multiplier effect’ benefitting subjects beyond music. With the struggle for resources that NYC schools are facing, this evidence suggests that a comprehensive music program when part of the curriculum can help schools maximize budgets and realize a better return on broader academic investments.”

Damkohler says that despite the documented benefits of music education on overall learning, many New York City schools, especially those serving low-income students, lack a proper music curriculum.

The study results showed a positive correlation between academic proficiency ratings for students in the ETM schools and their ETM Music Assessment scores. Students on average realized a 4.2% increase in Math proficiency ratings and a 3.7% increase in English Language Arts proficiency ratings for a 10 point increase on their ETM Music Assessment score.

The research also demonstrated the ETM program had a positive impact on students’ general development. 90% of students in the ETM study believed that going to music class helped them to “feel better” about themselves and their future.

Nearly all classroom teachers (98%) and parents (97%) reported that the ETM program had a positive impact on a student’s self-esteem.

“The research findings signify that a school’s investment in music education can have a positive impact on education across the board and suggest that music education should be viewed as an important part of the answer to the challenges that schools are facing in maximizing the limited resources at their disposal,” says Damkohler.

View the full report at

www.ETMonline.org/ evaluation

MUSIC EDUCATION’S IMPACT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & GENERAL DEVELOPMENT Education Through Music, Inc. 2012-2013 School Year Findings

A new research report, just released by Education Through Music, found that ETM students show greater academic achievement than their peers in non-ETM schools.

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Education Through Music Newsletter

2014 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala

ETM partner school Teacher Jessica Parr directs the PS 76 (Bronx) Jazz Band to open the 2014 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala.

Actor Josh Lucas on the red carpet.

Students from ETM partner schools sang several songs, including “You Have Wings to Fly” and “Oye.”

Right: ETM Board member and Grammy-Award winning violinist Joshua Bell with 2014 ETM Honoree Elizabeth Sobol, who is President and CEO of Universal Music Classics.

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Education Through Music Newsletter

Singer Jane Monheit sang sultry songs of days gone by.

Producer Desiree Gruber with her husband, actor Kyle MacLachlan.

Jazz Band The Hot Sardines.

Keith Lieberthal with his wife, actress Julianna Margulies.

2014 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala Co-Chairs Rick Dobbis and Richard Bernstein.

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Student Success Story:

Music Motivates Derek*, a fourth-grader in Ms. Marirose Dempsey’s class at PS 68, an ETM partner school in the Bronx, shares some of his experiences in his music class:

“I have always had a strong connection to music. I’m happy that I get to learn about, listen to and play music every day [in my general music and elective orchestra classes]. I could not imagine my life or school day without it. I’m excited to wake up and go to school to begin my day with music. From the second I walk into the orchestra room for morning practice, it motivates and excites me.

It helps me get ready for the rest of the day. I love music, and music class is my favorite because I can have fun, express myself and learn.”

“I practice on my viola a lot at home. I practice songs for our concerts and go over the techniques that Ms. Dempsey tells us to. When I practice, playing the viola gives me the confidence to be myself. Ms. Dempsey also reminds us that if we ever get stuck or mess up we don’t just stop, we keep playing so that no one notices. She says that this is what professional musicians do.”

“I love music because it helps build my confidence. The confidence I have in music helps me, not just while I’m performing, but in everything I do. Music helps me to concentrate more, especially in math, and gives me the confidence to keep moving forward even when I’m struggling. Ms. Dempsey has influenced me a lot; I’m always learning and practicing at home and in school because of her. I continue to learn and grow as a musician because I know that music will always be a part of my life.“ *The student’s name was changed to protect his privacy.

Education Through Music Newsletter

Run the NYC Marathon and Support ETM! For the fifth year in a row, Education Through Music has secured a limited number of spots in the TCS New York City Marathon, through the Community-Level Charity Program. We encourage our supporters to participate or invite family and friends to run with Team ETM. This is an amazing opportunity to raise money for education while sharing a life-changing, powerful experience with thousands of other runners from across the globe.

Be a part of Team ETM! Run the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2014, and help raise money to support education for disadvantaged children. Each runner commits to raising at least $2,500 for ETM; this can be satisfied through a combination of personal donations, donations from family and friends, company matching donations and others.

We make fundraising easy for you by providing you with the tools you need to raise dollars towards your commitment goal:

•

Customizable personal fundraising web page to send to family and friends.

• Fundraising resources (sample letters, fundraising ideas, tips, etc.)

• Dedicated staff to provide professional fundraising guidance.

All members of Team ETM will have access to the Tier 1 program of NYRR’s Online Training Program.

For more information, or to sign-up, visit www.ETMonline.org/marathon.

New Matching Campaign Announced ETM is excited to announce “Match For Music,” our first-ever matching campaign. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous benefactor, now through August 31st, gifts by returning donors will be matched one to one, doubling a donation’s impact, and gifts by new donors will be matched two to one, tripling the impact! Funds will be matched up to $100,000, making it possible for ETM to expand to reach 1,000 more students this September.

All campaign donors and referrers will be acknowledged on our website and in our fall newsletter, unless you request to be anonymous.

Through the “Match for Music” campaign, every gift will be multiplied.

A first-time donor giving $5, matched two to one, will result in $15, or enough to provide an entire month of the program to one child. A returning donor giving $30, matched one to one, will result in $60, or recorders for an entire class of students.

Visit www.ETMonline.org/match, call 212-972-4788, or return the enclosed envelope before August 31, 2014 to participate in the Match for Music campaign.

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Education Through Music Newsletter

String Trio “Time for Three” Performs for Students at PS 68 Members of the String Trio, “Time for Three,” performed for students at PS 68 in the Bronx on June 16, 2014.

The performance gave students the opportunity to experience professional musicians performing everything from classical music by Stravinsky to modern arrangements from artists Katie Perry and Coldplay.

Orchestra and general music students from the school lit up as they began to recognize some of the music Time for Three played. The group also incorporated plucking and tapping their instruments to create unique sounds, which provided the students an opportunity to see new ways to make music out of their own instruments.

The group uses music to also bring an anti-bullying message to students.

Members of Time for Three - Zachary (Zach) De Pue, violin; Ranaan Meyer, double bass; and Nicolas (Nick) Kendall, violin, perform for students at PS 68. To experience the group’s unique sound, visit www.tf3.com.

Foundation, Corporate & Government Supporters 2012-13 and 2013-14 Allied World Allstate Foundation Altman Foundation American Express Gift Matching Program Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust Bangs-Russell Foundation Bettina Baruch Foundation Bay and Paul Foundations Edith C. Blum Foundation The Bodman Foundation Annie E. Casey Foundation CMA Foundation Colgate-Palmolive Company Con Edison D’Addario Music Foundation Dancing Tides Foundation Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation William and Muriel Elliott Foundation Fender Music Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation Gannett Foundation Gilder Foundation Foundation for Global Sports Development Goldman Sachs Gramercy Park Foundation

Eugene and Emily Grant Family Foundation William T. Grant Foundation Jerome L. Greene Foundation Susan and Richard Hare Foundation Hearst Foundations Horne Family Foundation The Hyde and Watson Foundation Jockey Hollow Foundation Carl E. Kessler Family Foundation Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation Douglas C. Lane & Associates The Leir Charitable Foundations Manhattan Borough President’s Office M.B.I.A. Foundation Mertz Gilmore Foundation National Endowment for the Arts New Yankee Stadium Community

Benefits Fund New York City Department of Cultural Affairs New York City Department of Education New York Community Trust New York State Council on the Arts New York State Education Department Henry E. Niles Foundation The Nord Family Foundation Open Society Institute Matching Gifts

ETM’s programs are supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation RBC Wealth Management May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Scoob Trust Simple Actions Family Foundation Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation Sprint Local Giving Program Solon E. Summerfield Foundation Target Taubman Foundation TPG Capital Michael Tuch Foundation Ullmann Family Foundation Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Harvey and Leslie Wagner Foundation Leo Walsh Foundation Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT # 4027

122 East 42nd Street Suite 1501 New York, NY 10168 www.ETMonline.org Facebook.com/ETMonline Twitter.com/ETMonline info@ETMonline.org