By John Deasy, superintendent, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Tom Whaley, coordinator, visual and performing arts, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
On Sunday June 5, our community was extremely fortunate to experience a world-class concert that not only entertained thousands of spectators, but also raised much needed funding for music programs in the SMMUSD. The concert was held at Santa Monica High School’s Memorial Greek Theatre and featured Venice, Jackson Browne and Ozomatli. It also involved many Santa Monica High School students as both student musicians and student ushers and volunteers. The concert was organized by the Guacamole Fund and directly benefited the Education Foundation’s For The Arts campaign.
The proceeds from the event will continue to fund the general music program at Title I elementary schools that was funded last year by the Jackson Browne and Venice concert at Barnum Hall. In addition the proceeds will support the “Dreamwinds” program at John Adams Middle School and Lincoln Middle School. “Dreamwinds” is a program designed to offer free semi-private lessons to students of need.
Last, but not least, the Education Foundation of Santa Monica-Malibu’s “For The Arts” endowment campaign will receive a donation towards fulfilling their goal of raising an endowment for the arts programs in the SMMUSD.
I would like to thank the members of Venice, Ozomatli, and Jackson Browne for making this incredible event a reality.
I would also like to thank For The Arts, the Education Foundation, the staff at Santa Monica High School, music teachers and members of the community that came out to support the cause of music and the arts in our public schools.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.