Warner Music Group Expands Partnership With
Innovative New York City Music Education Organization
The Harmony Program, an innovative non-profit organization providing music education in under-served communities across New York City, has announced a yearlong celebration of its 10th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Harmony Program is rolling out a series of expansion plans, including the creation of five new after-school instructional programs, the establishment of youth orchestras in every borough, and the continuing development of a community of music professionals offering mentorship, career guidance, and musical inspiration to Harmony’s young students.
In conjunction with the Harmony Program’s anniversary activities, Warner Music Group (WMG), one of the world’s leading music companies, announced today an expanded partnership with the organization. WMG has supported the work of the Harmony Program in the past, most recently with its inaugural Warner Music Prize, which seeks to foster the talents of promising young musicians. Today’s announcement cements this unique alliance with a commitment to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations.
The Harmony Program will officially launch its anniversary year activities with an event on September 13th at the Manhattan Penthouse, featuring the renowned Canadian Brass ensemble. The season will conclude with a capstone 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert in the spring of 2018, with Warner Music Group as lead sponsor. The event will feature performances by Warner artists as well as by Harmony Program supporters within the musical field, including Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell.
“I have had the pleasure of playing with Harmony students on several occasions, and I have seen firsthand how music has transformed the lives of these children in countless ways,” said Joshua Bell. “I congratulate the Harmony Program on an amazingly productive and impactful ten years, and I look forward to seeing them bring music and joy to the next generations of kids—and their parents—for decades to come!”
Throughout the organization’s anniversary year, Warner Music executives and artists will be involved in an array of Harmony Program activities, including visits by WMG team members and artists to Harmony sites in the South Bronx, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and Jamaica, Queens, among other locations. WMG will also host visits to the company’s Manhattan headquarters for Harmony Program students and their families to meet executives and artists, as well as exploring career paths within the music recording and publishing industries. Other events and activities will be announced in the upcoming months.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 10th anniversary and grateful for the opportunity to continue to build our partnership with Warner Music Group,” said Anne Fitzgibbon, Founder and Executive Director of the Harmony Program. “Our shared belief in the importance of music education is the catalyst for this collaboration. Our complementary strengths and common vision of greater access to music education will help us broaden our reach and deepen our impact on the children and families we serve.“
“Warner Music Group is proud to help celebrate the Harmony Program’s decade of extraordinary service by announcing this expansion of our wonderful relationship,” said Eliah Seton, President of WMG’s ADA Worldwide division and Harmony Program board member. “As we have witnessed firsthand the amazing work that Anne and her team do, alongside so many outstanding musicians that give of their time and artistry, our enthusiasm for this very special organization has continued to grow. It is deeply moving to see how music can transform young lives and foster talent, self-respect, confidence, hope, and joy.”
