The Give a Note Foundation has accepted a generous $10,000.00 donation from retailer Music & Arts, as the company wrapped up a highly successful “Pledge to Practice” national Facebook campaign in recognition of NAfME’s Music In Our Schools Month®.
The “Pledge to Practice” Facebook campaign called on students, teachers and parents to commit to practicing their respective instruments every day over a two-week period from March 18 – 31. Musicians (13 and over) were invited to visit the Music & Arts Facebook page to sign up via the Pledge to Practice app.
The campaign’s original goal was for musicians to pledge a total of 100,000 minutes of practice during that period.
The results:
- 650 musicians signed up on launch day and agreed to practice a total of 36,700 minutes.
- By Day 5, the original goal of 100,000 minutes had already been surpassed.
- By Day 14, the Facebook app had seen 28,000 visits – an average of 2,000 per day.
- Final tally – 1,924 musicians ultimately participated in the “Pledge to Practice” campaign and committed to a total of 235,860 minutes.
Music In Our Schools Month is an annual NAfME initiative that takes place each March. Music & Arts CEO Ken O’Brien said it presented the perfect opportunity to promote three objectives with the “Pledge to Practice” sweepstakes.
“First, we wanted to draw attention to the benefits provided by school music education programs—especially in these times of continual budget cuts,” stated O’Brien. “Second, we wanted to help music touch more children’s lives by supporting an organization that is working to expand access to music education.
“Finally, we’re always looking for creative ways to encourage student musicians to practice their chosen instruments regularly. We thought the sweepstakes component and the ability to contribute to a good cause would provide some extra motivation. Music & Arts would like to thank everyone who pledged to practice. We are humbled and delighted by your commitment, which further strengthens our resolve to fight to keep music alive in schools—not only during Music In Our Schools Month but throughout the year,” O’Brien said.
Music & Arts, the nation’s largest school music company, has served students, teachers and families since 1952. With more than 110 retail locations across 22 states, it specializes in sales and rentals of music instruments, instrument repairs and music lessons – especially for the beginning and student musician.
Nelson Duffle NAfME Digital Communications Manager, April 19, 2013. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
