Give the Gift of Music to Under-Served Students

Alice Cooper was on hand Thursday, April 5th, at Paradise Valley Unified School District's board meeting to announce the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation's $20,000 grant to Arrowhead Elementary in Glendale, AZ. Alice Cooper also spoke about the importance of music education in a kid's life and in our communities.

"There are kids out there that really want to play that just can't afford it and here they are, here's the instrument, put it in their hands and just watch them go. Maybe some of them won't be great musicians but so what - it's something that they're doing that they love." - Alice Cooper

Arrowhead Elementary school principal, Teresa Simmons, was thrilled to hear about the award, "All students love to learn new things. This includes learning to play a violin or a trumpet, viola or flute. The students at Arrowhead want these same things, but are often unable to fully participate due to a number of circumstances beyond the students' control. The band and strings instructors have worked their magic each year trying to get an instrument in each student's hands, but can work only so many miracles. With the Mr. Holland's Opus' grant the miracles will continue and instruments will be available for our own talented group of children. We are thrilled and honored to receive this amazing donation and are already making plans to share the gift of music and creativity with our deserving students. Thank you to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation from Arrowhead Elementary School." 24 instruments and over $1,000 worth in repairs were awarded to Arrowhead Elementary.

Here is a list of all the other schools awarded this school year.

Many donors have made so much possible and we thank them.