YAMAHA
CORPORATION OF AMERICA
"Hang On to the Dream"
YAMAHA
CORPORATION OF AMERICA
"Hang On to the Dream"
Yamaha & "Hang On to the
Dream" present
local high school with new concert instruments
Troy, MI - Yamaha Corporation of America, along with the Troy-based "Hang On to the Dream Foundation" has presented the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts with a number of new concert drums for their band's music department following the robbery and vandalism of the school's band room last month. The break-in made headlines around the country when students at the nationally recognized arts school found virtually every instrument in the room either stolen or destroyed by vandals. "It was vicious... there were broken instruments all over the place. It was just terrible," said Ed Quick, one of the music teachers at the school. Christopher Ewing, founder of The Hang On to the Dream Foundation and host of the "Hang On to the Dream" teen television show, said "when I saw what happened at the school I couldn't believe it. It was awful and I knew that our organization had to help those kids in whatever way we could."
Ewing, along with a representative from the California-based Yamaha Corporation of America presented the school with nearly $5,000 in brand new drums for the school's concert performance students. "Yamaha continually encourages students to keep making music and never lose site of their dreams," states Rick Young, Vice President and general manager, Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division. "We are happy we were able to assist in this unfortunate situation and to encourage the Detroit High School for the Fine & Performing Arts to follow their dreams."
And the kids at the school were thrilled. "Man, this is awesome because we've had to borrow drums until now in order to perform and other schools were starting to make fun of us and stuff, so this is a blessing", said one of the students.
Mr. Quick could not be happier. "We have been overwhelmed by the show of support from our community, as well as from all over the country, so when organizations like Yamaha and "Hang On to the Dream" jumps to our aid we are humbled that our band program means so much to so many people. It seems like saying 'thank you' is really not enough."
The "Hang On to the Dream Foundation" is continuing to help make kids dreams come true. Anyone wishing to nominate a young person to receive items through the "Hang On to the Dream Foundation" or to suggest a young person to be featured on an upcoming episode of "Hang On to the Dream", log on to www.hangontothedream.com.
Chris Jelenic, Regional Dist Man Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division speaking to the media.
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Video Clips Click on the photos below to view the footage:
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"Hang On to the Dream" is a 30-minute, fast-paced, teen oriented newsmagazine created and hosted by actor/model Christopher Ewing. On the show, kids 12-18 years old, of all races and backgrounds, are featured because of their outstanding skills, achievements or triumph over tragedy. Then, in a one-of-a-kind television format, Christopher surprises those kids at school, at home, etc. and gives them "things"; from needed items or equipment to money, that will help them to continue to succeed in their dreams. In 1995, the year the show originally premiered, "Hang On to the Dream" was presented with the prestigious Emmy Award for "Best Children’s & Youth Program". That same year, the National Association of Broadcasters presented Christopher and "Hang On to the Dream" with the "Service to Children Television Award" at a black tie reception held on Capitol Hill, where the NAB named "Hang On to the Dream" one of the Top-10 kid’s shows on television, out of over 200 shows judged from around the country. The newly formed "Hang On to the Dream Foundation", a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has also been created to help kids from all over the country fulfill their dreams.
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