Nashville, Tennessee: The Country Music Association (CMA), through its “Keep the Music Playing” initiative, donated $141,000 to Metro Nashville Public Schools to help fund the development of an instrument repair shop to service and maintain musical instruments from all 140 schools in the district. The repair shop will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and operated by qualified technicians, who will also host students at the shop and provide vocational training through internships.

In conjunction with the “Keep the Music Playing Initiative”, Chevrolet donated a 2013 Chevy Traverse that will help the repair shop technicians to quickly get instruments back into the hands of students.

The program was created in 2006, by CMA’s Artist Relations Committee to give back to the local community by supporting music in schools on behalf of the artists who perform for free during CMA Music Festival. More than $6.1 million has been donated to purchase more than 4,000 musical instruments and supplies, as well as to build music labs. Studies show that students who participate in the arts do better in school and are more likely to graduate. Metro Nashville’s performing arts students have a 96 percent graduation rate compared to 76 percent for the general population.

“Chevrolet is pleased to be able to play a part in this important program," said Tom Wilkinson, communications manager for Chevrolet. Both announcements were made in conjunction with the 46^th annual Country Music Association’s award show that boasted a live audience of 12,000 and was viewed by millions around the globe. Chevy is a sponsor of the CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards.

Sue Mead Contributor