*Los Angeles – Ford Motor Company is expanding its long-time support of the GRAMMY Foundation®’s GRAMMY in the Schools®initiative by donating additional money through Ford’s innovative Drive 4 UR School program – as well as a new 2015 Ford vehicle to the 2015 Music Educator of the Year.
The Music Educator Award™ was established by the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy® to recognize current educators (K through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education, and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in their schools. The Music Educator Award and honorariums are supported by a grant from Ford Motor Company Fund. In 2015, Ford Motor Company will also award a new 2015 car or truck to the Music Educator Awardee Jared Cassedy.
In addition, 25 semifinalists for the GRAMMY Foundation’s Music Educator Award had the chance to earn up to $6,000 for their school’s music program through Drive 4 UR School, a unique Ford vehicle test drive program at local dealerships. In November, Diamond Bar High School high school got a surprise visit from Ryan Seacrest, the radio and television host who is the GRAMMY Foundation’s Honorary Board Chair. Seacrest participated in the program with local students. The Drive 4 UR School program helps schools all over the country go further by raising money to support extracurricular activities, including music. Since it was launched in 2007, the program has raised nearly $25 million for schools throughout the U.S.
“Education is the cornerstone of a brighter future, and we are proud to work with the GRAMMY Foundation because of our shared commitment to providing educational opportunities for all,” said Pamela Alexander, director of community development, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Expanding our association to include another innovative Ford community program and a brand new Ford vehicle for the Music Educator of the Year is a great way to award the hard work of teachers and schools throughout our country.”
“Words cannot describe how thrilled I am to receive this honor. I want to thank Ford not just for awarding me an awesome car but also for their support of the GRAMMY Foundation and music programs in schools.” Said Jared Cassedy. “Their investment in teachers and students throughout the nation is to be commended.”
Ford Motor Company also is presenting sponsor of the Sixth annual GRAMMY In The Schools Live! — A Celebration of Music & Education, presented by Ford Motor Company. The event took place Wednesday, February 4th at Club Nokia and featured performances from GRAMMY® nominee Hunter Hayes and high school singers and instrumentalists from around the U.S. who participated in the GRAMMY Week GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session.
Ford Motor Company Fund has a long history of innovative educational programs and partnerships and invests more than $8 million a year, about one-third of its annual financial support, in scholarships and other education initiatives.
For more information on the Ford Motor Company Fund and the GRAMMY Foundation visit
www.community.ford.com and www.grammyintheschools.com
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 189,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit https://corporate.ford.com
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit https://community.ford.com.
About the GRAMMY Foundation
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1988 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students’ musical experiences, The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation partnered to present their first Music Educator Award. Open to current U.S. music teachers in kindergarten through college, the Music Educator Award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony during GRAMMY Week 2015. For more information about the Music Educator Award, please visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.grammyfoundation.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like “GRAMMY in the Schools®” on Facebook, follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter (@GRAMMYFdn) and join us on Instagram (@GRAMMYFdn).
source:
Edna Sims
ESP Public Relations
[email protected]
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