Teachers Pitch In For CMA Music Festival 'Press Express'

CMA Music Fest

Beginning TOMORROW (6/10), more than 700 journalists in town to cover the 2010 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL will hear first-hand about how CMA's "Keep the Music Playing" donations benefit the music programs in METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. More than 50 volunteers, the majority of them music teachers, will be driving five official "Press Express" vans daily from 7a-1a (CT). The vans shuttle media throughout various event sites, including the NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER and LP FIELD.

Proceeds from the CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL have benefited charities since 2001. In 2006, a decision was made to direct all funds to one central cause, music education in METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, through a partnership with the NASHVILLE ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. As in the past, 50 percent of the net proceeds from the festival will go to the schools. CMA announced last month that the other 50 percent will be donated to the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE for flood relief this year.

To date, CMA has donated over $3.3 million to purchase more than 3,000 musical instruments, equipment and supplies in 67 schools. Thousands of students have been provided with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own.

DR. JESSE REGISTER, Director of METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS said: "We are so grateful for the generosity of CMA over the past several years. We know that 98% of our performing arts students graduate and that has a huge impact on the overall success of our school district. We thank CMA and also the NASHVILLE ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION for their partnership that has brought music education in METRO PUBLIC SCHOOLS to a whole new level. Our teachers and directors are volunteering in a big way this week to show their gratitude. 'Keep the Music Playing' is a magnificent program."

For more information, visit www.CMAfest.com.

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