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News:
Tribute to Joni Mitchell Raises $130,000 for Music for Youth Foundation
On February 1, 2006, a sold-out Carnegie Hall audience cheered 23 artists saluting singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. The roster of performers was as eclectic as it was impressive:
Laurie Anderson
Assembly of Dust featuring Sonya Kitchell
Shawn Colvin
Marc Cohen
Judy Collins
Cowboy Junkies
eels
Amy Grant
Richie Havens
Landmark Coalition High School Jazz Trio of Midori and Friends.
Bettye LaVette
Jesse Mallin
Nellie McKay
Me'shell N'degeocello
Pharoah's Daughter
Tom Rush
Jimmy Scott
Neil Sedaka
Martin Sexton
Joanne Shenandoah
Suzanne Vega
Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child)
Wood Brothers
In addition to the financial accomplishments, the event was a critical success. Here's a sampling of the reviews:
"(A) night adventurous enough to deserve Mitchell's difficult, hungry spirit." - New York Daily News
"Songs…flaunt their staying power…fascinating…" - The New York Times
"(A) dazzling tribute…" - Reuters
"The legendary singer-songwriter would have loved it." - Newark Star Ledger
"(A) tribute concert that was a model of its kind." - Hollywood Reporter
The salute to the music of Joni Mitchell was conceived and produced by Music for Youth Foundation board member and impresario Michael Dorf.
The concert was preceded by a gala artist reception at Carnegie Hall attended by many of the performers and by guests who purchased benefit tickets. Other luminaries in attendance included country superstar Vince Gil, New York rocker Lou Reed, the driving force behind Destiny's Child, Beyonce's dad, Mathew Knowles and recording artist, Phoebe Snow.
The Music for Youth Foundation extends its thanks to all of the artists and to our sponsors and donors, as follows:
Diamond
Carol and Sam Nappi
Platinum
American Express
New York Health & Racquet Club
Gold
ASCAP
BMI
e-music
Larry Miller
Oliebollen.com
Larry Miller
Tim Olper
Vector Research Management
WFUV-FM
Be sure to visit our Photo Gallery from this event >>
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Five Young Musicians in PBS Program Received Music for Youth Foundation
The Music for Youth Foundation gave $1,000 unrestricted grants to each of the young musicians featured in the television special "Soundmix: Five Young Musicians." "Soundmix" premiered on PBS in October, 2004. The Music for Youth Foundation was one of the underwriters of the program.
"In addition to our support for 'Soundmix,' we wanted to extend our mission of scholarship giving to the extraordinarily talented and dedicated young musicians in the film," said Elliot Goldman, president of the Music for Youth Foundation.
The teenage musicians featured in "Soundmix" who received grants from the foundation were:
- Hovia Edwards, a Native American flute player from Fort Hall, Idaho.
- Camilo Gaetan, a Latin percussionist from New York City.
- Gabrielle Athayde, a classical cellist and rock bassist from Orinda, California.
- Troy Andrews, a jazz horn player from New Orleans.
- Jake Krack, an old time fiddle player from Nicut, West Virginia.
"Soundmix: Five Young Musicians" was produced for PBS by Pamela Benson and Claudia Mogel and directed and edited by Alan McPheely.
For much more info, visit www.fiveyoungmusicians.com and be sure to read the press release at www.freerangeproductions.org.
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MFY Benefit at Synagogue for the Arts
On Tuesday, September 14th, 2004 MFY presented a special benefit for the Music for Youth Foundation featuring The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, a Kosher Wine Tasting reception and a special performance by The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Ensemble featuring MFY $25,000 Scholarship winners.
This event was part of the New York Jewish Music & Heritage Festival. Visit www.oyhoo.com for more info.
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Why is Music Education so Important?
As music programs have disappeared, entire generations have missed the incredible benefits that music can offer. America’s future performers, writers and teachers are owed the opportunity to learn their craft as part of their core education. And music brings other benefits as well…
Students involved in music education:
- are 35% less likely to have behavioral problems (National Educational Longitudinal Study, 1992)
- score much higher on the SATs (53 points on verbal and 39 points on math) (College Entrance Examination Board Study, 1999)
- show significant increases in self-esteem, higher spatial reasoning IQ, and boosts in many other thinking skills (National Education Research Center, 1990)
According to the VH-1 Save The Music Foundation, research has shown that a student’s involvement in their school music program is crucial to a complete education. Musical study, develops critical thinking and self-discipline skills, improves a child’s early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance. Also, researchers have found that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse.