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BRINGING MUSIC PROGRAMS BACK TO LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS: Playing For Change partners with Celerity Schools to create a powerful educational program utilizing the power of music to make positive social change.
BRINGING MUSIC PROGRAMS BACK TO LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS: Playing For Change partners with Celerity Schools to create a powerful educational program utilizing the power of music to make positive social change.
Published 09-19-14
Submitted by Matthews Communications Media
In an effort to support students in underserved urban areas, Celerity Global Development and Playing For Change will be hosting “Playing For Change Day” (www.PlayingForChangeDay.org), at various Celerity Schools throughout the US on Friday, September 19th. PFC Day LA and Celerity Schools will host the hub event at the Celerity Troika School in Highland Park, CA.
The Global Playing For Change Day movement last year featured over 300 events in 56 countries. The Los Angeles event will feature live performances by the Playing For Change Band, an internationally recognized music group that celebrates music from all cultures. The unique "Songs Around the World" concept, combining synchronized video performances from diverse artists around the world, has garnered a global audience of over 250 million. Collaborating artists in past projects include Keith Richards, Bono, Sara Bareilles, Taj Mahal, Manu Chao, Ziggy and Stephen Marley, and 100’s of other performers. The LA lineup will also feature violinist virtuoso Lili Haydn, celebrities and performers plus special guests to be announced.
Celerity Global Development (Operator of fourteen K-12 Celerity Charter Schools in Los Angeles and over 30 schools nationally) is partnering with The Playing for Change Foundation locally and nationally and to provide a unique music and performing arts programs to schools in the United States. The Playing for Change Day Events at Celerity Schools are to celebrate and promote this new partnership and program launch (a list of participating schools can be found at the bottom of these release).
Numerous studies have proven that sustained learning in music and the performing arts improves skills in math and reading and promotes creativity, social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth. The unique Playing for Change school curriculum accomplishes all that and more. Based on the United Nations’ Millennium Goals and the soon to be adopted Sustainability Goals, the curriculum promotes creative exploration of what it means to be a positive steward of the planet. What’s more, Playing for Change’s innovative mobile techniques and the universal power of music itself invites children the world over to collaborate in that exploration.
"Celerity has been committed to serving the underserved since the creation of our first school. We are also committed to the development of the whole student, both their intellect and their creativity. This type of development is essential, and despite the reduction in funds for the creative arts, we are committed to bringing music and performing arts back into the classroom. With our partnership with Playing for Change, our dreams will be brought to fruition. We are certain our collaboration will inspire others to do the same."
Vielka McFarlane, CEO, Celerity Global Development
Playing for Change Foundation currently provides free classes in dance, musical instruments, and music theory to more than 700 students at nine music schools and programs it has established in Africa, Nepal and Thailand. Playing for Change, the PFC Foundation and Celerity Global Development have now partnered to further support those existing programs and to expand the curriculum to schools within the United States and globally, beginning with Celerity Schools in California, Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio. The new International Music Program will be headquartered in Los Angeles.
“Music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.” Mark Johnson, Co-Founder, Playing for Change
Playing for Change Foundation
Playing for Change Foundation was established in 2007 as a 501(c) 3 non-profit with a mission to create positive change through music and arts education. The foundation has created 9 schools in Africa and Asia and produces the annual Playing For Change Day global event. To date, the lives of more than 15,000 children and community members have been improved through programs of the Foundation and educational performances through Playing for Change. www.playingforchangeday.org
Celerity Global Development
Celerity Global Development is the parent company of the Celerity Schools that serve children and families in Los Angeles, California, Florida, Louisiana, and Ohio. Their mission is to provide quality education in underserved communities by creating alternative schools that focus on the potential of every child. Celerity Schools are communities of diverse individuals where students develop their intellectual, artistic, and physical talents to the highest degree. www.celerityschools.org .
What: Playing For Change Day Concert
Who: Playing For Change Band, Lili Haydn plus special guests
Where: The Celerity Troika Charter School
6460 N. Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90042
When: Friday, September 19th
10am – 12:30pm
*Press Interviews and Photos Opportunities on site
Additional Celerity Schools with PFC Live Events on September 19th:
Louisiana – Celerity Woodmere Charter School –Harvey, LA
Florida – Fort Myers Preparatory and Fitness Academy - Fort Myers, FL
Ohio – Celerity Tenacia Charter School - Columbus, OH
Schools with simultaneous events
California –
Celerity Cardinal Charter School – Sun Valley
Celerity Dyad Charter School – South Los Angeles
Celerity Exa Charter School - Pasadena
Celerity Nascent Charter School – South Los Angeles
Celerity Octavia Charter School – Glassel Park
Celerity Palmati Charter School – North Hollywood
Celerity Sirius Charter School - Compton
Florida -
Bonita Springs Preparatory and Fitness Academy
Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy
Louisiana -
Celerity Crestworth Charter School – Baton Rouge
Celerity Dalton Charter School – Baton Rouge
Celerity Lanier Charter School – Baton Rouge
Matthews Communications Media
Matthews Communications Media
Matthews Communications Media represent many green clients, some of them non-profit events such as San Francisco Earth Day.
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