There is a cause for celebration this fall as music education is being brought back to Woodlyn and Eddystone elementary schools in the Ridley School District.

With support from the Urban Outfitters Community Cares initiative, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation is partnering with the Ridley School District to rebuild the elementary instrumental music programs across the district.

This fall, the grantee schools will each receive a set of new musical instruments, equipment, professional development, and program supports totaling more than $60,000 to start new band programs.

“Since 2008, we saw a significant decline of students participating in instrumental music at Eddystone and Woodlyn elementary schools,” said Ridley Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel.

“The help from Urban Outfitters and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation will rebuild our bands, not just in these schools, but also at our middle and high schools for years to come.”

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“It is a tremendous opportunity to play an instrument that has not been readily available in recent years,” said Eddystone Principal Jeffrey D’Orazio.

“We are so thankful for this generous opportunity for our schools,” said Woodlyn Principal Brenda Sweeney. “There are so many benefits to music education. We look forward to encouraging our students and supporting their creative talents with the help from VH1 and Urban Outfitters.”

The two schools are part of VH1 Save The Music’s 2017 class of grant recipient schools across the country. The foundation is awarding a total of 80 grants this fall in communities that span from coast to coast.

All schools have committed to hiring a certified music teacher to teach the music program as part of the regular school day and support their growing music program for years to come.

“We are celebrating our 20th anniversary as an organization – an important milestone as we look to the future of music education,” said Henry Donahue, executive director of VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

“We are so proud to be expanding our work into the Ridley School District and working with our partners like Urban Outfitters to bring students the gift of music and the academic opportunities to succeed in life.”

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