There were several honorees at the AMP Mixer Awards on April 24 (see page one story). But perhaps the greatest honor was to listen to an artist who didn’t receive any formal award at all that evening. His name was Drake Price, an 18-year-old jazz cellist.
Price performed for the industry gathering. He was there not only because of his talent, but also because he represents the good work of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
The organization supports music education and its many benefits through the donation and repair of musical instruments, which go to under-served schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide.
One of those students was Price, who applied to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation in 1998 for a cello. He was at a place in his studies where he needed a better instrument to progress in his pursuit of music, but his family could not afford a cello for him. Price received a cello from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and has gone on to win assorted scholarships and awards.
Among the accolades are Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards for both blues and jazz instrumental soloist on the cello; first place for the classical cello from the Los Angeles Episcopal Chorale Society; NAACP gold medals for jazz instrumentalist, classical instrumentalist and musical composition; a League of Allied Arts Corporation scholarship; and a National Cello Institute Summer Program scholarship.
Price’s inclusion added a welcomed dimension to the AMP event. While many awards shows often play out like self-congratulatory festivals, the AMP evening offered much more. A silent charity auction was held that night to benefit Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was inspired by the critically acclaimed motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus, the story of the profound effect a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students.
The film’s composer, Michael Kamen, founded Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation in ’96 as part of his commitment to the future of music education. Kamen passed away last year, but the legacy he left behind includes not only his amazing body of work, but also Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation itself.
The organization was started to address the fact that across the nation, school and community music programs have been discontinued or severely diminished due to budget cuts. The positive effects of music education on children’s emotional and intellectual growth have been proven in numerous case studies. Arts and music education also contribute to students doing better in school generally. Kids feel a connection to the arts—and as a result, they begin to value schooling in different subjects such as math, English, science and history. Youngsters start to realize that education is relevant to their lives. The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation recognizes the importance of music in the lives of children and seeks to keep music alive in our schools and communities.
The organization maintains several programs. The Melody Program targets qualified kindergarten to 12th grade music programs. The Special Projects Program targets community schools of the arts, after-school music programs, and youth orchestras. And The Solo Program targets outstanding student musicians who cannot afford to obtain an appropriate instrument.
Donations to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation are tax deductible. People can mail a check or money order to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation at 15125 Ventura Blvd., Suite 204, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Donations via credit card can be made by phone by calling (818) 784-6787 or faxing (818) 784-6788. Musical instruments can also be donated. For further info, log onto www.mhopus.com.
