Disney, along with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and the Yamaha Corporation of America, has funded a new program to help encourage instrumental music in Anaheim schools.
American Music Makers Exploratory Wheel includes funding for teachers, plus makes musical instruments available so that Anaheim fifth graders can sample the trombone, flute, trumpet, clarinet, and violin before deciding in sixth grade if they’d like to continue with instrumental music.
Disneyland Ambassador Mikey Trujillo, Disneyland Band member Laura Hamlin, and Mickey Mouse made the announcement at Stoddard Elementary School, one the schools to benefit this year from the new five-year program.
A small portion of the $378,000 donation came from two special guitars that Yamaha created for California Adventure’s Mad T Party. When the show ended in 2016, the guitars were auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the program.
Each year, fifth graders at two Anaheim schools will participate in the program.
Source: Orange County Register
