VH1 Saves the Music for OKCPS Schools

Oklahoma City – Students from four Oklahoma City public schools sing praises of thanks to VH1 and Cox Communications for delivering more than $100,000 worth of new musical instruments paid for through the Save the Music Program. Since 2004, the grants have paid for instruments at Fillmore, Telstar, Capitol Hill and F.D. Moon elementary schools. The program has also allowed the beginning of Mariachi bands at Fillmore and Capitol Hill Elementary.
     “The Mariachi band programs at Fillmore and Capitol Hill Elementary Schools were a dream of mine for our students,” says Susan Gabbard, Director of Fine Arts at OKCPS. “I know that many mariachi programs exist across the southwest in other states like Texas, Arizona and California. Because we are growing in population with Hispanic students I wanted to give them an opportunity to sing and play the music that is such an integral part of our student’s heritage and culture.“
     To say thank you to VH1 and Cox Communications, students will hold an assembly at Fillmore Elementary at 5200 S. Blackwelder on Monday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. Mariachi ensembles will perform and VH1 officials will present a final check to purchase drums for the bands.
     Media is encouraged to attend the assembly program. For more information, please contact Cordell Jordan at 587-0232.

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