The VH1 Save The Music Foundation (STM) celebrated the rebuild of music education in the Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD) at Stoddard Elementary School. This was made possible by the generous support from Sound Start and the Henry W. and Ellen R. Warne Family Endowment Fund at the Orange County Community Foundation.
Back in 2015, the rebuild was launched to ensure that all students in AESD had music as part of their regular school day. The goal was to jumpstart 23 schools that were deemed to have insufficient or nonexistent music programs. In just three short years, STM has successfully restored music in 12 out of the 23 schools—and the results have been remarkable. Every 5th and 6th grader in AESD currently plays a musical instrument at all STM grantee schools.
Most recently, three schools received Core Band Grants from STM this fall: Paul Revere Elementary, Ponderosa Elementary and Stoddard Elementary, where the celebration took place. The event featured exciting performances and moving testimonials by students about how music has made an impact in their lives.
“Today’s event celebrated the growth and strength of the music program at Stoddard Elementary and exemplified the rebirth of music education in Anaheim ESD,” stated Jaclyn Rudderow, Program Director for VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “With support from our partners, we are proud to continue our investment, ensuring every Anaheim student will have the opportunity to play a musical instrument in school.”
