October is National Arts & Humanities Month On Thursday, October 6th M.S. 180 (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams School) in Co-op City, along with Education Through Music will celebrate teaching music through technology at the newly installed, state of the art music classroom. In honor of National Arts & Humanities Month, educators and local politicians will be coming together for this unprecedented event to celebrate this amazing resource for students in the Bronx, thanks to the generosity of Councilman Larry Seabrook and the Bronx Borough President. This state of the art classroom is the most advanced music technology lab in New York City public schools. The program is also unique because every student in the school receives instruction in the lab, made possible through the school's partnership with the non-profit organization, Education Through Music (ETM). Students are thrilled with the chance to get their hands on the newest in technology, and in doing so they are learning musical skills and knowledge that have been proven to boost academic performance. Over the course of M.S. 180's partnership with ETM, which began in 2009, Principal Frank Uzzo has demonstrated a significant commitment to arts education. He believes that the Music Technology Lab in particular will enhance and update the music education at the school. "The development of the music lab brings this learning into the 21st century," he says, "It gives all our students an opportunity to experience the highest level of music education through the use of technology." In addition to the music technology lab, ETM provides the opportunity for students to enroll in elective band, jazz band, and string orchestra classes. WHEN: Thursday, October 6th TIME: 8:30 am: Buffet breakfast 9:00 am: Tour of the music lab as well as the newly designed band and orchestra rooms WHERE: M.S. 180, 700 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 RSVP: Press interested in attending the lab opening should RSVP: Angie Morrissey, Communications and Events Manager for Education Through Music at 212-972-4788 or amorrissey@ETMonline.org. Learn more about Education Through Music at www.ETMonline.org Notable attendees include: Michael Benedetto, State Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Bronx Borough President Barbara Murray, Director of Music for the NYC Department of Education Jacquelyn Pitta, Communications Director for the United States DOE, Region II Available for interviews Katherine Damkohler, Executive Director, ETM Peter Pauliks, Director of Programs, ETM Frank Uzzo, MS 180 Principal Education Through Music (ETM) makes music education a reality for thousands of at-risk children who would otherwise have limited or no exposure to the arts. Since 1991, ETM has harnessed the power of music to enhance the academic performance and general development of its students. Our work provides these children with the skills to become better learners and the confidence to live in an increasingly challenging world. ETM currently serves 13,000 students in 25inner-city schools in New York City, and our model reaches another 6,000 children through the work of our licensed affiliate organizations in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. For more information please visit www.ETMonline.org.