Annual Philanthropic Program Kicks Off With Save The Music and Music Forward Partnerships, Focusing on STEAM 
Education
Grammy® Nominated Artist Noah Cyrus to Lead Virtual Classroom Discussions at Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
(NEW YORK – March 8, 2021) – Sony Music Group (SMG) today announced Beyond The Instrument, a new, annual program designed to stimulate creativity, advance educational resources and promote career development within the music industry.
Save The Music and Music Forward are SMG’s first nonprofit partners for the program. In collaboration with Grammy® nominated artist Noah Cyrus, the initiative will kick off with a virtual classroom discussion with Metropolitan Nashville’s Public School students, led by Music Forward, where Cyrus will share her journey to becoming a hit singer-songwriter. It will also consist of a four-week series of music industry education workshops with students from Antioch High School in Nashville and will culminate in the delivery of musical instruments and technology equipment to the schools later this year.
As the inaugural program ambassador, Cyrus said, “Music has always been such a huge part of my life and I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a family where I was constantly surrounded by music; I really experienced the benefits firsthand of learning and creating music at a very young age, providing me an emotional outlet and passion that I am still beyond thankful for everyday. This is why I am so honored and excited to be the inaugural program ambassador of Beyond The Instrument, and for the chance to give back to Nashville, a city that’s very near and dear to my heart.“
The educational workshops provided by Music Forward are a series of music industry readiness programs and will cover topics ranging from Music Business 101 to Music Marketing, Monetizing Creativity, and more.
Designed to ensure all children have equity and access to in-school music education, the Beyond The Instrument program will fund the Save The Music J Dilla Music Technology Grant, a comprehensive package of musical instruments, sound engineering equipment, and technology software. Upon delivery at the start of the 2021-22 school year, this new program will empower Antioch High School students through learning the fundamentals of electronic music creation, recording, and production.
Of the initiative, Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group said, “Beyond The Instrument is collaborating with first-class community partners, artists and songwriters to enhance music education programs and develop opportunities for underserved communities. We’re thrilled to work with Noah Cyrus, Save The Music and Music Forward to continue SMG’s dedication and commitment to providing educational resources for the next generation of music professionals.”
“Sony Music Group has brought together a best-in-class set of partners to make this happen for Nashville students, and Noah Cyrus has been a champion of music in schools and a partner of Save The Music for several years,” said Save The Music’s Executive Director, Henry Donahue. “We can’t wait to work with Music Forward to bring this program to life.”
“Music Forward is thrilled to join Sony Music Group and Save The Music Foundation as the educational partner to connect Nashville music students’ passions to professions in the music industry,” said Nurit Siegel Smith, Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation. “We’re excited to bring our programs to this partnership and provide participating youth with the information, tools, and insights that will guide them to chart their individual pathways to success.”
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About Sony Music Entertainment
A Sony Music Group Company At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 60 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship. Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies. Learn more about our artists, creators, and labels here.
About Sony Music Publishing
A Sony Music Group Company Sony Music Publishing (“SMP”) is the leading global music publisher, home to the world’s greatest songwriters and many of the most iconic songs ever written. Headquartered in New York with an international network of 38 offices, Sony Music Publishing supports the vision, artistry, and goals of its songwriters by amplifying opportunities, fostering collaboration, and defending their rights. SMP represents classic catalogues including The Beatles, Queen, Motown, Carole King, Leiber & Stoller, Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and The Rolling Stones, as well as contemporary superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Calvin Harris, Cardi B, Daddy Yankee, Gabby Barrett, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Luke Bryan, Luis Fonsi, Maluma, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Sara Bareilles, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Travis Scott and many more. Sony Music Publishing is a part of Sony’s suite of powerful entertainment brands. Learn more about SMP here.
About Save The Music
The Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Founded in 1997, Save The Music partners with school districts and raises funds to restore music programs in public schools. Since inception, the organization has donated over $60 million worth of new musical instruments, equipment, and technology to 2,201 schools in 277 school districts around the country–impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of students. Learn more about Save The Music and its efforts at www.savethemusic.org.
About Music Forward Foundation
Music Forward transforms young lives, inspires careers, and champions a more inclusive music industry. Music Forward bridges our communities to the music industry, empowers ambition, and creates momentum to redefine what is possible for the youth and industry we serve. Music Forward invites everyone to play a part in moving culture forward; join the movement by following @MusicForward, and learn more at www.musicforwardfoundation.org