$75,000 grant and artist engagement opportunities, kicked off with a virtual classroom visit by Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots, support music education programs across the United States
NORWELL, MA, June 28, 2021 – The Zildjian Company, the world’s leading maker of cymbals, drumsticks, and mallets, is proud to announce a three-year partnership with Music Will, a national nonprofit that transforms lives by restoring, expanding and innovating music education. This partnership brings together two organizations committed to sharing the joy of music and impacting many generations of music makers.
Along with a $75,000 grant to support Music Will’s music education programs, the partnership includes multiple engagements with thousands of K-12 music students and educators throughout the year, with Zildjian and Vic Firth sharing resources, educational materials, and opportunities to engage with its Artist Family. The partnership launched on April 5, 2021 with a virtual classroom visit by Zildjian Artist, Josh Dun, of Twenty One Pilots. Dun shared his story, a brief lesson and performance, and engaged Music Will students in a Q&A. In preparation, the students familiarized themselves with Twenty One Pilots tunes, using Music Will’s easy and fun music lessons. Similar visits from Zildjian and Vic Firth artists are planned for the future, to further engage students with highly inclusive music education. For educators, virtual workshops led by Mark Wessels, Zildjian Director of Education, will be held to provide tips and resources for teaching percussion. Notable Zildjian and Vic Firth Artist-Educators will also be invited to join to create excitement about the programs and lessons. As part of the partnership, Zildjian becomes the Premiere Cymbal Sponsor of Music Will.
“The Zildjian Company is proud to partner with Music Will and supports their mission to transform lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in our schools,” said John Stephans, CEO of the Zildjian Company. “For four hundred years, the Zildjian Company has been driven to help people express themselves through music. Our shared belief in the power of music makes this a natural partnership and does so at a time when more than ever, we need to provide access to the joy music can provide to children across the country.”
This partnership is one of many ways the Zildjian Company has continued to actively support and inspire the next generation of music makers and artists.
“It is amazing to think that Zildjian has been bringing music to people the world over for centuries!” said Music Will Founder & CEO, Dave Wish. “We are honored to partner with them as we work to bring the transformational gift of music education to kids all across the country.”
For further details or assets, please contact Bob Wiczling ([email protected]).
About the Avedis Zildjian Company
The Zildjian Company has been synonymous with setting the standard for the development and manufacture of high performance musical instruments since 1623. As the world’s leading maker of cymbals, drum sticks and percussion mallets, Zildjian products are sold across the globe, under the Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter Mallets brands, and are the standard to which all other cymbals, drumsticks and mallets are measured. From the beginner to the world’s greatest rock stars, jazz performers and concert percussionists, amateurs and pros alike choose Zildjian, Vic Firth, and Balter Mallets products to share their musical expression, without compromise.
Headquartered in Norwell, Massachusetts with offices in Newport, ME, Los Angeles, CA, London, UK, and Singapore, Zildjian products are sold globally through distributors and via a network of dealers. All Zildjian products are made in the USA at our cymbal factory in Norwell, MA and drumstick/mallet factory in Newport, ME. For more on the Avedis Zildjian Company, please visit: https://zildjian.com/information/about-zildjian
About Music Will
Music Will transforms lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in U.S. schools. Their network of thousands of K-12 teachers across 48 states lead a national movement that brings innovative and inclusive music education to students. Using genres including rock, pop, Latin, and rap, their program empowers teachers to build music programs as diverse as the kids they serve. Music Will students see themselves reflected in their classes, which strengthens their connection to their school, their peers, and their community. Music Will also donates necessary instruments and curriculum, meeting a key need of many school music programs. More than 550,000 kids currently participate in Music Will programs nationwide. Since 2002, the organization has reached more than one million students with highly-inclusive and culturally relevant music education. For more information, visit musicwill.org.
