Music & Arts Launches Campaign That Gives the Gift of Music

FREDERICK, MD--(Marketwire - May 12, 2011) - From April through June 2011, Music & Arts (http://www.musicarts.com/), a division of the Guitar Center and the nation's largest school musical instrument retailer, is launching a regional community service campaign called Pass the Music On! to inspire kids to be community service leaders of their generation and benefit local public school music programs.

Founded by Music & Arts and YesKidzCan! in support of Music 4 More and in partnership with the Yamaha Corporation of America, Pass the Music On! will encourage kids ages 8-18 in 200 public elementary, middle, and high schools in the Greater D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas to: 1) donate a band or orchestra instrument that Music & Arts will repair and redistribute to local area schools in need; and 2) make an online donation with 100% going to school music programs. Music & Arts' 19 regional stores are promoting the campaign, and local schools have received information about ways to participate.

According to Music & Arts President, Kenny O'Brien, "Music & Arts has a great affinity to the Greater D.C. area because our first store was located in a small house in Bethesda, Maryland. We want to help give all schools in this area greater access to music."

Not only will this campaign empower and unite students with the common goal of making music more accessible to those less fortunate, it will also highlight the importance of music education as part of a child's overall education. Music has been shown to cultivate self-expression, confidence, skill building, concentration, team-building, improved academic performance, and more. Pass the Music On! provides a chance to make a positive difference not only for participating schools but also for schools receiving the gift of music. For more information and to make a donation, visit www.PassTheMusicOn.org.