Trenton schools, VH1 and Sway Calloway celebrate the instrumental music program's rebuild on June 9.
TRENTON -- Joyce Kilmer Middle School's gymnasium was packed with 300 music students Thursday evening, with many performing with instruments granted through VH1 Save the Music.
Mayor Eric Jackson attended the performances, as well as Sway Calloway, of XM Sirius radio's The Wake Up Show.
VH1 Save the Music's initiative in Trenton began in 2012 with the reconstruction of musical instrument programs in 14 of the 17 elementary and middle schools.
The remaining three schools will receive their grants this fall, Save the Music said in a statement.
The evening included performances from the Trenton district-wide marching band, a Joyce Kilmer Middle School's rendition of the National Anthem and pieces by eight other city schools.
"We have some of the brightest and most talented musicians here and [VH1 Save The Music's] generosity will help perpetuate music education here in our city for years to come," Jackson said.
It has been more than two decades since Trenton Public Schools has had an instrumental music education program within K-8 schools, before partnering in 2012 with VH1 Save the Music.
Calloway, also an MTV personality, expressed the importance of reintroducing music to the Trenton schools.
"Playing instruments growing up gave me my foundation to understand music, music culture, how to write and read music, how to play music, the impact music has on our lives and the impact music has on our children," he said.
At the end of the event, Calloway announced that foundation sponsor BAI will award a $15,000 Encore Grant to Dunn Middle School for additional musical instruments.
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