Music Rising donates $250,000 for Sandy relief

By Randy Lewis

Jan. 8, 2013 12 AM PT

Music Rising is expanding its reach again to provide instruments and other aid to musicians in the Northeast whose livelihoods have been disrupted by Superstorm Sandy, much like the organization did for those affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region in 2005 and for those affected by flooding in and around Nashville in 2010.

The organization has announced it will broaden its mission to encompass all of the U.S., starting with a $250,000 donation to help rebuild school music programs in the tri-state area hardest hit by Sandy.

The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chief Exec and Chairman Henry Juszkiewicz started Music Rising in 2005 to focus assistance on the music community of New Orleans after the devastation resulting from Katrina. It has since aided more than 50,000 instrumental and vocal music students. After heavy storms caused the Cumberland River in Tennessee to overflow its banks in 2010, Music Rising came to the aid of the music-centric community with a $250,000 grant.

It also supported Tulane University in New Orleans in creating an educational studies program, the Studies of the Gulf South: Music Rising, which is designed to explore and nurture the region’s musical and cultural heritage.

Musicians affected by Sandy in need of assistance can call the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation directly at (818) 762-4328 or email DeAnna Sanchez at that organization, deanna@mhopus.org.

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