Legendary Tony Bennett, Singer/Songwriter Gavin DeGraw and NY Yankees Great Bernie Williams Visit Washington for Music Ed

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and DoSomething.org today co-hosted a reception at the U.S. Capitol Building celebrating and supporting national school music programs. The event was part of NAMM’s annual Member lobbying trip to Capitol Hill.  

Multiple Grammy and Emmy-award winning artist Tony Bennett, founder of Exploring the Arts which provides support for the arts in NYC Public High Schools and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens was on hand to discuss the importance of school music and art programs:

"We hope to see every public school in the United States have an art program," said Bennett. "And it will be the best thing that ever happened to the United States because the whole premise of art is to search for truth and beauty. And when you give that to the rest of the world, every country will respect us so much. And so I hope you'll help us with that."

Platinum Recording artist and VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador Gavin DeGraw spoke passionately about the impact of a complete education including music and the arts.

"Preserving music in schools is about preserving our culture," said DeGraw.  "When I meet people, I don't share math problems with them. But I do share music because it connects us in a very deep and personal way."

Former New York Yankee and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist Bernie Williams, who spent the day meeting with Members of Congress on behalf of this cause, added, "Music has had a very profound impact in my life.  I was able to incorporate the things I drew from music like dealing with stress, overcoming adversity, into my athletic training and my life.  I also believe that every kid should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and that's why I'm here today."

ABOUT The VH1 Save The Music Foundation
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children. Get involved at www.vh1savethemusic.com and follow us on twitter @vh1savethemusic.

ABOUT DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the U.S. that helps young people rock causes they care about. A driving force in creating a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.