The largest non-profit music education program for public schools across the US: Music Will, formerly known as Little Kids Rock, is set to hold its annual benefit concert this coming April 24 at The Novo indoor club in downtown Los Angeles.
(Photo : Music Will)
About Music Will's 16th Benefit Concert
"We're excited to announce Music Will's second Los Angeles Benefit on April 24th," says Music Will CEO Mike Wasserman in a statement.
This year's iteration will be honoring the Tony, Emmy, and five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban; the Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter and actress Andra Day; and Pulitzer Prize winner and MacArthur "Genius" grant recipient Rhiannon Giddens.
The benefit concert's musical direction will be helmed by Michael Bearden, who is a known collaborator of famed artists like Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston, and is going to be presented by the Hot Topic Foundation. Further guest appearances are to be announced.
In addition, a silent online auction will be held in commemoration of the event, alongside being opened by remarks from the non-profit's important artistic and business supporters.
Funds raised by the event will be funneled into resources backing the teacher training, wide-ranging curriculum, and free musical instruments that the non-profit program provides millions of young people across the country to date.
"Music Will brings innovative and engaging programming, resources, and instruments to a community of thousands of music teachers and more than 600,000 students across the country every year," shared Wasserman.
"For one night," he continued, "our community of educators, corporate sponsors, industry partners, and everyone who believes in the power of music will come together for an amazing celebration of music."
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Past Honorees of the Annual Music Will Benefit Event
Since its foundation in 2002, Music Will has endeavored to remain steadfast in utilizing music as an avenue for positive social change, and this unrelenting mission has continually attracted an exciting variety of famous artists for its annual benefit concert across the years.
Past honorees include acclaimed musical acts like Babyface, Tom Morello, Idina Menzel, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, Usher, Steven Van Zandt, Mavis Staples, Joan Jett, Trombone Shorty, Wiz Khalifa, and Clarence Clemmons, among others.
In addition, renowned performers and presenters have also joined the event, including Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Brian Wilson, Jack Black, Graham Nash, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren, Alice Merton, Darryl McDaniels (Run-D.M.C.), Harry Connick, Jr., and more.
Outside the event, the non-profit has also made waves. For one, Babyface made an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show with Music Will Founder Dave Wish on tow to showcase the undeniable power of education and music.
In the show, the two were surprised by Clarkson's $10,000 donation to the non-profit, which brought the total to $30,000 at the time, following Babyface and Wish's own contributions.
You can watch the full segment right below.
As for the forthcoming benefit concert, which is produced by MBM Entertainment, tickets for it are now available at www.musicwill.org/benefit. Bids for the benefit's silent auction, on the other hand, can be submitted on the non-profit's website.
