Coralville, IA – December 13, 2017– Just in time for the holidays, Cedar Rapids (CR) schools were awarded a Fall 2017 VH1 Save the Music Grant. VH1 Save The Music provides brand-new musical instruments to public elementary and middle schools that demonstrate a need for a sustainable instrumental music program.
The center piece of the grant was realized on December 4th when West Music delivered 1 Casio GP500 Grand Hybrid, and 3 Casio WK7600 keyboards to Franklin Middle School.
Thankful for the additions to their music programs, Beth Davies, the Music Curriculum Facilitator for the CR Community School Districts expressed, “We are so grateful to VH1 Save the Music and West Music for the opportunity to apply and receive this grant. Our stage piano has been showing its age for some time now, so the piano and 3 keyboards are coming at a perfect time for our music students here at Franklin. The band, orchestra, and choir programs will all get great use out of the piano for our rehearsals and performances. The keyboards will be used for our choirs and general music classes. We just can’t thank VH1 and West [Music] enough for this great gift.”
West Music, the area’s leading specialty music retailer, was proud to partner with VH1 and Casio to make this incredible opportunity a reality. By supporting the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, West Music furthers its efforts to help kids, schools, and communities realize their full potential through the power of making music.
Aaron Hansen is an experienced K-6 General Music educator, passionate about bringing music to life through the Orff Approach. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Aaron has completed comprehensive Orff Teacher Training, including three levels at the University of St. Thomas and an Orff Master Class. His dedication to the Orff method took him to the Summer International Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Aaron also shares his expertise by teaching movement at various Orff Teacher Training Courses and conducting workshops for local Orff Chapters.
