Festival producers announce commitment to music education
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — The producers of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival are helping pay for music education in three local schools.
Newport Festivals Foundation Executive Producer Jay Sweet says as long as the festivals call Newport home, they'll work to ensure every public school student has access to outstanding music education.
The foundation asked music teachers from the Claiborne Pell Elementary School, Thompson Middle School and Rogers High School about their needs.
Pell is getting a music software program. Thompson is getting keyboards. Rogers plans to repair instruments.
The initiative was launched with a contribution by Dennis and Beverlee Taber in honor of her grandfather, Ray Groff, former band instructor at Rogers.
Some of the money raised from this year's Newport Folk Presents after-shows will support the program moving forward.