June 4, Contact: Ron T. Suazo/Compton Unified School District, ,

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1 Contact: Ron T. Suazo/Compton Unified School District, , June 4, 2013 MHOF Donates Over $23,000 in Musical Instruments, Grammy Foundation and Ford Present School With More Than $5,500, CUSD Makes a Commitment Not to Cut or Eliminate Music Programs COMPTON, Calif., Through the support of three nonprofits Compton Unified School District s (CUSD) Compton High School music program will offer more learning opportunities and nurture more musical talent for years to come. On Thursday, May 30, the Mr. Holland s Opus Foundation (MHOF) donated over $23,000 in musical instruments for Compton High s music education program. MHOF Representatives stood alongside District administrators, who announced the Commitment to Music Education for CUSD Schools, which promises to maintain all music programs in Compton schools by avoiding cuts. Special guests included MHOF President and CEO Felice Mancini, daughter of famed composer Henry Mancini; MHOF Board Member and Executive Vice-President for Music Affairs at Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production Scott Holtzman; MHOF Board Member and Composer Blake Neely; Board of Trustees Vice-President Margie Garrett, Board Clerk Satra Zurita, and Board Members Marjorie Shipp and Emma Sharif; and Superintendent Darin Brawley. On Thursday, May 23, the Grammy Foundation presented music director Anthony Ransfer and Principal Letitia Bradley, Ed. D. with a $5,500 grant for new supplies and repairs in their school s music room, 601 S. Acacia St. Compton High was also named a Grammy Signature School and only one of 10 schools nationwide, selected by the Grammy Foundation s Blue Ribbon Committee, to receive their Enterprise Grant. Each school, including Compton High, was selected for their ability to provide innovative music instruction and extracurricular activities with limited resources. Additionally, the Grammy Foundation and the Ford Motor Company Fund (FMCF) presented a panel discussion featuring a Q&A session with music industry professionals. Speakers included FMCF Community Development Director Pamela Alexander; Joseph Langford, project manager, Grammy Foundation; Tremaine Williams, music

2 Compton High s Music Program Receives Boost From Nonprofits page two producer; singer and former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano; and songwriter Andy Allo. CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali assured that the District will work hard to ensure the resources it receives from their partners will be used to unlock students potential. Compton Unified is proud to establish an allegiance with two organizations known for making an indelibly positive impact in the lives of children, he said. The arts, and in particular music, should not be taken for granted. They provide academic enrichment while allowing our children to realize their talents. Art can also be the bridge students cross as they learn to understand a variety of subjects including math, science, and English. We look forward to working closely with our new partners as we collaborate to open new learning opportunities for our students. Superintendent Darin Brawley said the District s partnership with the MHOF, the Grammy Foundation, and FMCF marks a tremendous step towards improving arts education for all Compton students. With the support of these organizations, Compton High School students will see a huge boost in the quality of music education programs, which will offer a diverse range of learning opportunities, he said. Brawley added, We are grateful to have them as our partners as we work together to teach and to inspire the next generation of creative minds. In due time we will soon see future movers and shakers within the music industry, and a great deal of them will come from Compton. MHOF s President and CEO Felice Mancini said the organization is proud to continue its partnership with CUSD. To date, the nonprofit has invested over $406,000 in Compton schools music programs. We re thrilled to be back in Compton supporting music teachers and principals who recognize the power of music education in their students lives. We hope to maintain a strong relationship with Compton Unified School District and that we see the impact of this donation over many generations, said Mancini. Speaking on behalf of the FMCF and the Grammy Foundation, Ford s Community Development Director Pamela Alexander stressed the importance of music education in schools. As the philanthropic arm of the Ford Motor Company, a lot of our investment is in young people and education. If you look at the data, it says that schools with music programs have higher graduation rates and higher test scores for the entire student body. When you invest in music you re really investing in the entire school and its achievement, she explained. Alexander also encouraged students to capitalize on the opportunity to be a part of their school s music program. The reason why we re here is because Ford believes in all of you. We want you to take full advantage of this music program and take advantage

3 Compton High s Music Program Receives Boost From Nonprofits page three of your futures. The Grammy Foundation s Program Director Joseph Langford added that the nonprofit is proud to support Compton High School. We re glad to be here to honor the students and their school s music program. The Grammy Foundation and the Ford Motor Company Fund congratulates Principal Dr. Bradley, music director Mr. Ransfer, Renee Cobb, and the entire faculty involved here, he said. The students are the reason for everything we do. CUSD s College and Career Services Program Administrator Renee Cobb expressed her gratitude for the District s partnerships and said she is confident that they will result in more student achievement. These donations and attention we are receiving reflect the commitment that our District has made to the visual and performing arts. When districts have made significant cut backs, we have continued to support the arts, she noted. We have a new superintendent who supports VAPA as well. All of our secondary principals see the value of the arts in their curriculum too. Additionally, the Board of Trustees are keen supporters of the arts. We know Compton students have the talent, now they have the opportunity and the resources to unlock their potential. Cobb added, When universities recruit for students of the arts they will say, check out Compton. Principal Bradley shared her excitement over her school s recent donations. What I like about this moment is that the world is beginning to see what we ve known all along that students at Compton High are talented beyond measure and capable of achieving and performing at high levels, she said. We thank the Grammy Foundation, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and Mr. Holland s Opus Foundation for contributing to our students success. Additional information may be obtained by contacting CUSD s Office of Communications at (310) or by visiting Online users can connect with CUSD via and # # #

4 A Great Lineup Compton Unified School District s (CUSD) Compton High School s Principal Letitia Bradley (third row, left), staff, District administrators including Superintendent Darin Brawley (second row, right), and members of CUSD s Board of Trustees thanked Mr. Holland s Opus Foundation representatives including President and CEO Felice Mancini (third row, in orange blazer) for donating more than $23,000 in musical instruments, Thursday, May 30.

5 Try Outs Members of Compton High School s Marching Band unwrap and open their school s new collection of instruments, Thursday, May 30. Nonprofit Mr. Holland s Opus Foundation donated over $23,000 items including saxophones and flutes for the school s music program, led by music director Anthony Ransfer.

6 Thrilled to Be Back in Compton Felice Mancini, president and CEO, Mr. Holland s Opus Foundation, expresses how the nonprofit is proud of its partnership with CUSD, Thursday, May 30, prior to presenting the school with over $23,000 in new instruments.

7 Priceless Support Representatives from the Ford Motor Company Fund and the Grammy Foundation present Compton High School staff with a $5,500 check and an honorary Grammy Award, Thursday, May 23. From left to right: Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Compton High School staff including Music Director Anthony Ransfer; Principal Dr. Letitia Bradley; Assistant Principal Rodolfo Zendejas; CUSD College and Career Services Program Administrator Renee Cobb; Pamela Alexander, community development director, Ford Motor Company Fund; and Joseph Langford, project director, Grammy Foundation.

8 Allo Compton! Singer-songwriter Andy Allo shares her experiences in the music industry with Compton High School students, Thursday, May 24, during a panel discussion sponsored by the Grammy Foundation and the Ford Motor Company Fund.

9 Tips From Toscano Former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano, encouraged students to work towards reaching their goals, Thursday, May 23.

10 Behind the Music Music producer Tremaine Williams shares his thoughts on the music industry and motivates Compton High students to take their education seriously, Thursday, May 23, during a Grammy Foundation and Ford Motor Company Fund-sponsored panel discussion. # # #