On Wednesday, the Grammy Music Education Coalition (GMEC) nonprofit is launching its first-ever “Auction to Make Music Matter,” a three-week online auction designed to help expand music education in public schools. On auction site Charitybuzz, interested parties will have the opportunity to bid on more than 100 experiences and prizes donated by artists including Sheryl Crow, The Roots and Debbie Harry, among others. The auction is sponsored by Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment.
“This inaugural Grammy Music Education Coalition Auction to Make Music Matter will have a direct impact on public school students,” said GMEC executive director Lee Whitmore in a statement. “I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from The Recording Academy, its members, the generous auction donors, our Coalition affiliates and most importantly Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, the auction underwriter. Anyone who bids on an auction item is giving to public school music programs for underserved young people. Together we will make a real difference.”
Experiences up for bid include a VIP tour of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium with singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile; attending tapings of The Voice UK with Meghan Trainor and Shark Tank with Daymond John; a one-on-one music lesson with Jack Black; VIP tickets to Lady Gaga and Criss Angel’s Las Vegas shows; concerts and meet-and-greets with Fitz and The Tantrums, Kristin Chenoweth, Ellie Gouldingand Thomas Rhett; and signed merchandise from Maggie Rogers, Kelsea Ballerini, Marc Maron and more.
The auction launches Wednesday with a kick-off event in New York City sponsored by Morgan Stanley, with special guests including Grammy-nominated music producer Louis Bell and New York Knicks player Walt “Clyde” Frazier. The auction runs through Dec. 3 and all of its proceeds go towards funding music education in underserved and underfunded schools, with specific funding going towards learning technologies, instructional materials and curriculum; coaching and mentoring professional development; and more.
“Helping give children the opportunity to create music is one way Morgan Stanley is working to improve the communities in which we live and conduct business,” said Morgan Stanley’s global Sports & Entertainment Division head Sandra L. Richards.
Added Charitybuzz president Ben Erwin, “It is inspiring and encouraging to see GMEC, Morgan Stanley and so many generous donors from the music industry and beyond come together to raise funds to help young people grow and thrive. GMEC’s Charitybuzz auction is putting the organization in front of thousands of bidders globally who may not have otherwise been connected with this cause.”
Read more about our work with the Grammy Music Education Coalition here.
Content via Billboard