Charter One Pavilion concertgoers can help children discover the benefits of music education
Charter One Bank kicks off Making Music Matter to aid Chicagoland non-profitsCHICAGO (June 8, 2007) - Charter One Bank announced today that it will launch its ”Making Music Matter” program at select concerts this summer at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, beginning tonight, June 8, with performances by renowned artists Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak.
This program supports local 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations that provide access to the arts and music education to Chicagoans of all ages.
For the second consecutive year, Charter One Bank will collect donations on-site to help support select non-profit organizations, and will match all contributions. Members of the community not attending concerts at the Charter One Pavilion may also support ”Making Music Matter” by making contributions at more than 120 Charter One branch locations throughout Chicagoland. In addition, those looking to support the program in other ways may also donate musical instruments at both the Charter One Pavilion and at bank branch locations.
“The Charter One Pavilion is an ideal setting for us to engage the community with our program,” said Scott C. Swanson, president and CEO, Charter One Bank. “With an ever-increasing demand for musical education programs, community organizations such as our ‘Making Music Matter’ partners have become crucial in creating the next generation of musicians and music enthusiasts.”
Proceeds from “Making Music Matter” will be allocated to the following local non-profit organizations:
• Boys & Girls Club of Chicago: The Boys & Girls Club of Chicago serves more than 17,500 young people throughout Chicago each year, with programs focusing on arts and music education, character and leadership development, health and life skills and education and career counseling, among others.
• Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra: The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra is recognized internationally as one of the finest youth orchestras in the United States. For over 60 years, its programs have provided music education and instrumental training of the highest quality to Chicago metropolitan area youth.
• Merit School of Music: The Merit School of Music was founded in 1979 when music education was eliminated from Chicago Public Schools Curriculum. Merit is locally and nationally recognized as an exemplary community music school that offers comprehensive training to a diverse population of students.
• People’s Music School: The People's Music School provides free, high quality music instruction and performance opportunities for personal and professional growth, and cultivates an informed and appreciative audience for classical music. Its programs are open to everyone, especially to those who have little opportunity for musical instruction.
The “Making Music Matter” initiatives will support customized programs for each non-profit partner for activities such as:
• Expanding class size of existing arts and musical education programs.
• Supplying musical instruments.
• Providing musical instruction.
• Increasing access to musical and artistic training.
• Creating new programs in community centers around Chicagoland.
“Charter One Bank is proud to support the worthy efforts of our partner organizations that are committed to providing access to the arts and musical education in our communities,” said Swanson.
”Making Music Matter” not only benefits future musicians but also every individual who studies and practices the art, since research shows that music helps develop critical thinking skills and self-discipline and improves self-esteem.
In addition to the June 8 Stevie Nicks/Chris Isaak show, other Charter One Pavilion concerts in June that will feature the “Making Music Matter” program include:
• The Fray and OK Go, June 12 to 14
• Barenaked Ladies, June 18
• John Mayer and Ben Folds, June 28 to 29
• Chicago and America, June 30
Additional performances will be added throughout the summer season.
About Charter One Bank, N.A.
Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $46 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has 466 branches and more than 780 ATMs. It has 119 branches and 364 ATMs in Illinois. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $161 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 25,000 employees. It has a 13-state retail branch network plus non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits and ninth in assets as of September 30, 2006. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
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