VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION BRINGS THE "fun." TO NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT

Celebrating 8 Years, 15 Music Education Grants and $430,000 In Instruments Donated

Andrew Dost Of The Grammy Award-Winning Indie Rock Band fun. To Speak

New York, NY - April 30, 2014-- VH1 Save The Music Foundation is teaming up with the LEGO Children's Fund, KHS America and New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) to celebrate the completion of music education programs offered in NHPS. The event will take place Friday, May 9th at 10:30AM at Fair Haven School in New Haven, Connecticut. Multi-instrumentalist and member of the Grammy Award-Winning band fun., Andrew Dost, will speak on the impact of music in his life and the importance of music education in schools. The "VH1 Save The Music Celebration Band" of 70 New Haven students will also perform.

"The gift of music enriches learning and empowers young people to find creative and innovative ways to engage with the world around them. We need the next generation of leaders to have a strong love of music and the arts. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has transformed lives in New Haven by giving hundreds of children the gift of music. We are so grateful for our longtime partnership with VH1 Save The Music and for the generous support of the LEGO Children's Fund and KHS America," said Superintendent of Schools, Garth Harries.

After an 8-year partnership with NHPS, beginning in 2005, a longtime goal of providing access to instrumental music education programs for students' years K-8 in New Haven has finally been achieved. With 15 grantee schools and $430k worth of musical instruments donated, the dedication of the superintendent, board of education, principals and music teachers to restore music programs is cause for celebration.

"New Haven Public Schools is an exciting success story," said Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "Through a successful partnership with the district, we have met our goal together by ensuring that every child in New Haven has equity in access to music education. With a generous commitment of the LEGO Children's Fund, instrumental music has been returned to the final 2 remaining schools with need. We are so thrilled to announce that students in all 15 grantee schools have access to a comprehensive education that includes music with $430,000 worth of new musical instruments donated by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. This success was only possible because of the District's leadership, the generous support of donors like the LEGO Children's Fund and dedicated teachers. "

This year, the LEGO Children's Fund donated $70,000 to directly impact the 2013 grantee schools, Fair Haven and Nathan Hale Schools. With $60,000 needed to attain the monetary goal, the LEGO Children's Fund generously donated another $10,000 to provide an additional grant for the district through VH1 Save The Music's pilot piano grant program "Keys+Kids." The winner of this grant will be announced at the celebration event Friday, May 9.

As a generous partner of the Foundation, KHS America will be bringing along Andrew Dost (Grammy Award-Winning band fun.) to join in on the festivities. Andrew will be speaking on the influence music education has had on his life and career. Additionally, students from all 15 grantee schools will perform onstage together as the "VH1 Save The Music Celebration Band." The band will also include two high school seniors applying to music colleges, the first in their families, who started playing their instruments in 5th grade because VH1 Save the Music donated instruments to their school. The culmination of the event will feature a performance of fun.'s hit song "Some Nights" in front of Andrew Dost.

The Celebration Event will be held Friday, May 9th beginning at 10:30AM at Fair Haven School, located at 164 Grand Ave., New Haven, CT 06513.

VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in America's public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. Each year, VH1 Save The Music, donates $30,000 worth of instruments to each grantee school across the country.

To date, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has donated $51 million worth of new musical instruments, donated to 1,900 public schools in 192 school districts around the country. The donations have impacted the lives of 2.3 million public school students.

About VH1 Save The Music Foundation

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided $51 million in new musical instruments to 1,900 public schools in 192 school districts around the country, impacting the lives of 2.3 million children. Get involved at www.vh1savethemusic.organd follow us on twitter @vh1savethemusic.

About the LEGO Children's Fund

The LEGO Children's Fund supports organizations and programs in the United States that champion the importance of creativity in a child's life and are dedicated to inspiring and encouraging youth creativity through monetary grants that subsidize the costs of fostering children's exploration of personal creativity in all forms.

About Jupiter Band Instruments

Jupiter Band Instruments, Mapex Drums and Majestic Percussion are the leaders in woodwind, brasswind and percussion instruments from the student to the professional.