Student Musicians Featured at Keep the Music Playing Concert

Several of the brightest groups from Metro Nashville Public Schools will be honored at CMA’s Third Annual Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert Tuesday, January 31 at 6:30 PM. Hosted by Chris Young at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the event will recognize student musicians from schools that have benefited from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program.

The musical evening features performances from five Nashville school groups including Bellevue Middle School Band; Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet Theatre and Orchestra Departments; McGavock High School Wind Ensemble; and a special duet between the Glengarry Elementary Orff Ensemble and Singers with Suzy Bogguss. Chris Young will perform with Nashville School of the Arts student Mignon Grabois and Charley Woods, who performed their version of “If I Die Young” on the 45th Annual CMA Awards in November.

“This event is an inspiring reminder of what students can achieve if given the right tools and support,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “We’re extremely grateful to the artists who played during the 2011 CMA Music Festival for giving the next generation of musicians the opportunity to learn the joys of music and shine on this exquisite stage.”

Since 2006, CMA has donated half of the net proceeds from its Music Festival to Keep the Music Playing, for a total of $4.7 million. The 2011 contribution will be announced during a private reception before the concert on January 31.