Shady Spring Middle School is one of 11 West Virginia public middle schools that will receive new instruments this fall for their music program, thanks to an innovative partnership between the national VH1 Save the Music foundation, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the Carter Family Foundation. Each of the recipient schools will receive $30,000 in new Yamaha musical instruments as part of this statewide program.

On Sept. 21, 22 and 23, Rob Davidson, program director for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, will join West Virginia leaders and program partners on a tour of schools around the state that are participating in the program. They will visit Shady Spring Middle School at 8 p.m. Friday.

“West Virginia is on course to bring musical instruments to every elementary and middle school in our state that has a qualified music teacher,” said Randall Reid-Smith, commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. “Studies show that music education helps develop critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves cognitive development. In addition, we hope that our students will develop a lifelong interest in music and other arts as a result of these educational experiences.”

Reid-Smith said the matching partnership program allows interested organizations and individuals to donate $15,000 for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation match. He contacted Susan Landis, chair of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, and inquired about possible partners in Raleigh County. Landis notified the Carter Family Foundation of the opportunity, and they generously provided the necessary match.

Shady Spring Middle School, in turn, was required to complete a comprehensive review of its music program to demonstrate eligibility for the program. Principal Gary Nichols oversaw completion of the application materials.

“The arts are a huge element of education,” said Nichols. “We are very grateful to be one of the schools chosen to receive this grant for additional musical instruments, and we hope it will bolster the musical program here and get more students involved.”

Paul Cothran, executive director and vice president for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, said, “Our foundation is enormously proud and excited about our initiative in West Virginia. The foundation generally works in partnership with local districts and community leaders to develop a strategic plan to restore instrumental music education for all students within that district. West Virginia is the largest and first statewide effort we have undertaken to ensure, over time, greater access to music education in each of the state’s 55 counties.”

Other schools benefiting from the program this year are Bridge Street Middle School, Doddridge County Middle School, Follansbee Middle School, Marlinton Middle School, New Martinsville Middle School, Pendleton Middle School, Pleasants County Middle School, Sherrard Middle School, Van Devender Middle School and Wellsburg Middle School.

“Any traditional West Virginia public elementary or middle school that has a certified music teacher and wants to build its instrumental music program may qualify for a VH1 Save the Music Foundation grant,” commented Reid-Smith. “Having this opportunity is a wonderful way to strengthen our state’s arts focus as we introduce our youth to the pleasures of music in all of its many forms.”

If area businesses, individuals or organizations are interested in providing matching funds for future VH1 Save the Music Foundation awards, contact Reid-Smith, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, 304-558-0220, or Landis, Beckley Area Foundation, 304-253-3806.