Traveling Clinicians Program Brings Top Music Professionals
into Schools Enabled by $15K Contribution from AT&T
Seaside, Calif; January 14, 2014; Monterey Jazz Festival and AT&T bring the famed Traveling Clinicians to Seaside High School on Tuesday, January 14 with a ceremonial check presentation to the organization for $15,000. The contribution expands on an eight-year, $92,000 partnership between AT&T and Monterey Jazz Festival and will help support arts in education programming through 2014.
“Music has a unique way of engaging students from grade school through college graduation,” said Dr. Bettye Saxon, Director External Affairs, AT&T California. “By bringing music professionals into our classrooms and connecting the dots between students’ personal interests and potential careers, we hope to show the relevance of this type of learning and further combat forces that drive students to drop out.”
The Traveling Clinicians Program, founded in 1983, is an integral part of Monterey Jazz Festival’s mission to bring jazz education to Monterey County public and private schools. The program provides one-on-one monthly visits to schools in need. During each visit, professional musicians instruct students and teachers in the fine art of jazz.
“I’d like to express how grateful to AT&T and absolutely thrilled Monterey Jazz Festival’s Education Program is to receive their continued support,” said Paul Contos, Education Director for Monterey Jazz Festival, and a long-time Traveling Clinician. “AT&T’s interest and financial support for our programs has been the backbone for the vision we’ve had for education and mentoring for over 30 years. AT&T’s assistance touches many young people, teachers, administrators, and music and arts programs in the school systems, as well as impacting the cultural fabric of our local community. Thank You, AT&T!”
The Traveling Clinicians Program was spearheaded in 1983 by Ruth Fenton, board member of Monterey Jazz Festival. The program was launched in conjunction with other festival education programs including the Instrument Bank and Sheet Music Library, which loans musical instruments and musical repertoire to students and schools free of charge.
In 2013, the Traveling Clinicians and Vocal Jazz Clinicians visited 20 middle and high schools providing 186 hours of instruction to approximately 600 music students.
“We are very grateful that AT&T is helping to bring jazz education to so many schools throughout Monterey County,” said Theresa Hruby, Music Director at Seaside High School. “Our students gain invaluable knowledge, skills and crucial exposure to the culture of jazz thanks to this profoundly effective and valuable program. Without the support of AT&T and many other organizations, this would not be possible.”
The support for the nonprofit Monterey Jazz Festival is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss, or by following our news on Twitter at @ATT.
© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
About Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates the legacy of jazz and expands the boundaries of and opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.
###
For more information, high-resolution pictures and interview opportunities please contact:
Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 510.652.1122
Monterey Office: 831.373.3366
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org