MOCKINGBIRD ANNOUNCES NEW GRANTS IN MUSIC EDUCATION
Raises Total Funding to nearly $200,000
Saratoga Springs, NY – A foundation incorporated by fans of the rock band Phish has announced plans to distribute $7,500 in Burlington, Vermont, and Tuscon, Arizona. The Mockingbird Foundation, named for the title character of a Phish song, has now contributed almost $200,000 to music education for children, and is already preparing to disburse new grants in early 2004.
The Foundation will give $4,000 to the 242 Main Street Center in Burlington, VT. The nonprofit teen center recently staged a summer camp to teach 40 young musicians how to play rock music. Students were instructed in non-classical music theory and learned to perform in a group setting. The camp was staffed by Tammy Fletcher, Greg Matses (of No Glue, Tammy Fletcher and the Disciples, and the Dude of Life’s band), Phil Abair (Pork Tornado, Tammy Fletcher and the Disciples, and the Dude of Life band), Gabe Jarrett (No Glue, Jazz Mandolin Project, and Smokin’ Grass), Ted Pappadopoulos (Happytowne, Lost Posse, and Go to Blazes), and Bobby Hackney (Lambsbread).
The second grant, in the amount of $3,500, will go to the PRIME School in Tuscon, AZ. The funds will support the “Catch a Rising Star” program, which removes financial and accessibility barriers to participation in music for over 200 students in third through eighth grades. The monies will pay for scholarships to expand the program, broaden its offerings to continuing students, and help add a summer term.
The Mockingbird Foundation was incorporated in 1997 as an all-volunteer non-profit fundraiser and grantmaker, and is operates primarily via the Internet. It raises funds maily through sales of The Phish Companion (a 928-page book about Phish and their music, written by over 1500 volunteers), Sharin’ in the Groove (a double-CD tribute album exploring influences on Phish’s music), and related merchandise. The two grants announced today bring the total funds distributed by the Foundation to $189,521.40.