Widespread Panic and their Tunes For Tots Foundation made a huge contribution to Memphis, Tennessee this week with the donation of $176,898 worth of instruments to two Shelby County band programs. The band donated brand new instruments for the students to use for music education at the Cummings School and Raleigh-Egypt Middle and High School. Tunes for Tots has raised over $2,000,000 for music education since the foundation’s inception in 2005.

“Our district believes in high quality arts education for all students, and amazing partners like the Tunes for Tots Foundation and Widespread Panic help us provide more resources so we can continue to create incredible opportunities for our students,” the district posted on Facebook.

According to the band’s website, “Widespread Panic believes that art education, and in particular music education, is integral to the overall education and advancement of children. Art allows for personal expression, appreciation of ideas, celebration of cultural awareness, sharing emotions, and gives purpose to life. Widespread Panic agrees with research findings that art education supports more traditional academic subjects as well as being a worthy support in its own right.”

A big “Thank-You” to Widespread Panic for making this generous contribution to the students of Memphis music. Learn more about their program here.

[cover photo by Dave Vann]