CRICKET WIRELESS TO CONTRIBUTE $125,000 TOWARD ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DESERVING STUDENTS

(Atlanta, GA) (Oct. 29, 2018) – On Friday, Cricket made a $125,000 donation to the Atlanta Music Project (AMP). The gift will go toward giving 100 students full scholarships to participate in the organization’s newly launched All Star Youth Orchestra & Choir.

The news was announced during an event at The Gathering Spot where Atlanta’s own Grammy Award winning artist Monica joined AMP’s student musicians for a special performance of her hit song, “Angel of Mine.”

Cricket’s scholarship contribution will provide instruments, uniforms, transportation and musical accessories to allow all students in AMP’s All-Star Youth Orchestra & Choir to participate at no cost to their families. Every musician needs a gig, so Cricket also plans to showcase the talented students by hosting the Youth Orchestra & Choir at prominent special events.

L to R: John Dwyer, President of AT&T Prepaid Portfolio (Cricket Wireless & AT&T Prepaid); R&B star Monica Brown; Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Atlanta Music Project

“Our young musicians have worked hard at their craft for many years and have developed powerful transferable skills, including flexibility, problem-solving, confidence, creativity and how to communicate with their peers,” said Dantes Rameau, co-founder and executive director for the Atlanta Music Project. “Most importantly, it has taught them to strive for excellence. Thanks to Cricket Wireless, these scholarships will help us continue this valuable work while at the same time helping us grow our programming to serve more young people for years to come.”

Founded in 2010, AMP provides intensive, tuition-free music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhood. This year, AMP launched the All-Star Youth Orchestra & Choir, a first-of-its-kind initiative for Atlanta, to bring together the finest young musical talent from the city’s south and west side neighborhoods to train in classical ensembles.

The orchestra and choir are made up of middle- and high-school-age students. AMP believes the pursuit of musical excellence leads to the development of confidence, creativity and ambition, thus sparking positive social change in the individuals and the communities they serve.

“Cricket Wireless calls Atlanta home. The Atlanta Music Project is a phenomenal non-profit organization that helps local students experience music in a whole new way. We’re thrilled to support their mission,” said John Dwyer, President of AT&T Prepaid Wireless Portfolio, including Cricket Wireless. “AMP’s programs are producing confident and capable young men and women who will become the next generation of leaders making contributions to their communities. Helping expand AMP’s reach to even more students in Atlanta is something we’re extremely honored to be part of.”

Multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning artist, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Monica was inspired to be a part of the event and support the kids because of her passion for arts and music education.

R&B star Monica Brown performs her platinum hit Angel of Mine , accompanied by the AMP Youth Choirs & Orchestras, with John Young Shik Concklin conducting.

The relationship between Cricket Wireless and the Atlanta Music Project kicked off this summer when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself and some of AMP’s brightest students were invited to perform on NPR’s prestigious Tiny Desk Concert Series – a platform where artists like Adele and Dave Matthews have given memorable acoustic performances.

Cricket Wireless continues to be involved because of its commitment to its home city of Atlanta. Music is a big part of its customers’ lives and Cricket wants to create experiences that tie to the brand’s mission of bringing smiles to customers, as music does.

About the Atlanta Music Project

Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project provides more than 5,000 hours annually, of intensive, tuition-free music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhood. AMP’s mission is to empower underserved youth to realize their possibilities through music.

Now serving 350 students through eight programs, AMP provides all its students with an instrument, a teaching artist, and classes in band, orchestra and choir. In addition to four after-school learning sites, AMP’s program include: the AMP Academy, providing advanced musical training to AMP’s most talented and dedicated students; the AMP Summer Series, a music festival and school; and the new launched AMP Youth Choirs & Orchestras.

AMP music ensembles perform more than 40 concerts annually, performing in venues all across Atlanta, from community centers to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AMP music ensembles have performed alongside international stars such as the Harlem Quartet, electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, pianist Terrence Wilson, soprano Alison Buchanan, and R&B singer Monica. AMP musicians can be seen performing with rapper T.I. on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. AMP’s young musicians have successfully auditioned for Georgia All-State ensembles, and have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen and Mexico City.

AMP’s program partners include the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation, The Kindezi Schools and Sylvan Hills Middle School.

In 2015 Clayton State University established the Atlanta Music Project Endowed Scholarships, providing college scholarship funds for AMP students.

AMP is a 2018 winner of Emory University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award. In 2016 and 2017 the White House named AMP one of the top 50 after-school arts programs in the nation. AMP is the recipient of the prestigious 2016 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders award.

For more information visit atlantamusicproject.org

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