FREDERICK, MD--(Marketwire - Mar 18, 2013) - March marks Music In Our Schools Month, and in celebration Music & Arts, the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer and lesson provider in the country, has launched a nationwide-sweepstakes encouraging student musicians, teachers and parents to Pledge to Practice. Starting today, Music & Arts, together with Give a Note Foundation and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), is inviting musicians ages 13 and over to celebrate this month by practicing as much as they'd like through the Pledge to Practice Facebook sweepstakes. As part of Pledge to Practice, aspiring musicians will commit to practicing every day to help reach the goal of playing more than 100,000 minutes in two weeks, from March 18 - March 31.
In celebration of Pledge to Practice, along with donations collected at all of Music & Arts' retail locations and MusicArts.com, Music & Arts will donate up to $10,000 to Give a Note Foundation, an organization committed to expanding and increasing music education opportunities for all children. Everyone who pledges will be entered for a chance to win $2,000 of musical products from Music & Arts or MusicArts.com.
"Music In Our Schools Month is a wonderful time to increase awareness around the benefits that music education provides students," said Ken O'Brien, CEO of Music & Arts. "Together with our fellow music advocates, the National Association for Music Education and Give a Note Foundation, we are thrilled to kick-off this sweepstakes that gives students the chance to utilize their passion for music to help support an organization with a mission of advancing music education."
As part of the Pledge to Practice campaign, participants will enter and participate via Facebook, sharing the number of minutes they practiced to help Music & Arts reach more than 100,000 minutes. The campaign serves as a way to bring attention to the benefits created by school music education programs while giving student musicians the opportunity to improve on their chosen instruments. In addition, student musicians who pledge will be entered for a chance to win $2,000 worth of instruments, music books and accessories from Music & Arts or MusicArts.com.
To pledge, Musicians should visit www.facebook.com/musicandarts, "like" the page and follow instructions on the Pledge to Practice tab.
About Music & Arts
Music & Arts, the nation's largest school music company, has served students, teachers and families through retail stores and school representatives since 1952. Based in Frederick, Md., the company specializes in sales and rentals of music instruments, instrument repairs and music lessons -- especially for the beginning and student musician. Music & Arts now has more than 110 retail locations across 22 states.
About National Association for Music Education
National Association for Music Education, among the world's largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.
About Give a Note Foundation
Give a Note Foundation was created in 2011 with a mission to strengthen music education programs across America, especially in underserved areas. The Foundation achieves its mission through grants to school music programs, education programs that promote teaching excellence, and research on student access to music study. www.giveanote.org
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Media Contact:
Gina Galatro
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Gina.Galatro@lanepr.com