NASHVILLE – Music City’s finest student musicians will once again take the stage during CMA’s Fifth Annual Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert on Tuesday, Jan. 28 (6:00 PM/CT). Taking place for the first time at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, this year’s concert will be hosted by EMI Nashville recording artist and CMA Awards nominee Eric Paslay.
“CMA’s support of music education is so important and I am honored to be part of this special event,” shared Paslay. “Music was such a huge part of my childhood and I was lucky to have teachers and family who encouraged me. I can’t wait to see these talented students perform.”
CMA’s Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert honors several of the brightest music groups from Metro Nashville Public Schools that have benefited from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing music education initiative. The event will feature performances from five Nashville school groups including Hillwood High School Wind Ensemble; Hull-Jackson Montessori Strings; Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet and Martin Luther King Academic Magnet School Strings; John F. Kennedy Middle School Choir and Concert Band; and the McGavock High School Capital Sounds Show Choir.
“This concert is all about celebrating the next generation of musicians,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is a special night made possible by the hundreds of artists who performed at the 2013 CMA Music Festival for free. These children are able to enjoy a first-class music education program because of the generosity of our artist community and the commitment of The CMA Foundation to support music education in our schools.”
Since 2006, proceeds from CMA Music Festival have been donated to Keep the Music Playing to provide Metro Nashville Public Schools with much needed musical instruments and music labs. To date, CMA has donated more than $7.6 million to the cause, including $6.5 million donated directly to Metro Nashville Public Schools on behalf of the artists who make appearances and perform at the yearly event.
“CMA’s Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert is an annual highlight for the music students and teachers. This year’s concert will be especially thrilling for all in the new CMA Theater. Without the continued generosity of CMA, so many of Nashville’s uniquely rich musical experiences would not be available to our students. We are very grateful for this opportunity to celebrate our students’ musical achievements with performances by five of Metro School’s most outstanding ensembles,” said Dr. Nola Jones, Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
CMA will announce the 2013 CMA Music Festival financial contribution to Keep the Music Playing during a private reception for Metro Nashville Public Schools music and choir directors preceding the concert.
CMA Award nominee Paslay (Song of the Year in 2012 for “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”) understands the importance of music education in Music City and has supported the cause by appearing at the CMA Music Festival. Paslay will release his self-titled debut album on Feb. 4, featuring the Top 10 single “Friday Night.”
For more information, visit CMAworld.com.
