Band Together Selects Kidznotes as 2016 Nonprofit Partner

Youth orchestral music training for lowest income neighborhood children to be expanded with $1.5 Million goalRaleigh, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2014) – Band Together NC, a Triangle-based organization that uses live music as a platform for social change, has announced Kidznotes as its 2016 nonprofit partner. Inspired by “El Sistema,” the international movement of music for social change from Venezuela, Kidznotes changes the life trajectory of underserved K-12 students through orchestral training. Kidznotes will jointly partner with Band Together on its annual event that has produced as much as $862,000 in net proceeds for the community.“Every year we see an increasingly impressive group of nonprofit applicants interested in partnering with Band Together,” said Matthew Strickland, executive director of Band Together. “This year was no exception, with many worthy and outstanding nonprofits. While the selection was challenging, we are excited about our partnership with Kidznotes and the positive impact we will make together in the Triangle.”In 2016, Band Together and Kidznotes aim to raise more than $1.5 million through corporate and individual donations, and grants.  Proceeds raised during the 2016 partnership year will be used to expand the number of students served by Kidznotes in Durham and Raleigh to 600 by the 2016-17 school year – an addition of 290 students over two years to Kidznotes’ current roster of 310. Kidznotes’ strategic plan and vision includes serving 1,000 students in Durham and Raleigh by 2020.“We continue to set aggressive goals for ourselves and our nonprofit partners, and 2016 will be no different,” said Strickland. “We are fortunate to have a generous community and believe the goal of $1.5 million aligns not only with our fundraising prospects, but also with the growth trajectory and sustainability of Kidznotes.”Kidznotes resonated with the Band Together Board of Directors because of their demonstrated success over just a few years in improving student performance and engagement. “Kidznotes is making a real difference in the lives of children and their success in the classroom,” said Strickland. “And, our support of local music makes this a natural fit. Our partnership will greatly expand the number of underserved students exposed not only Kidznotes’ unique and successful system, but to unique music as well.”"We are thrilled to join Band Together in bringing the power of music for social change to the Triangle,” said Katie Wyatt, executive director of Kidznotes. “This partnership will allow Kidznotes to enroll hundreds more students grades K-8 in the next two years, providing instruments and the highest level of music instruction for our kids from East Durham and Southeast Raleigh who would not otherwise have the opportunity. Through music, we're changing lives, and we're excited to team up with Band Together to propel the movement!"With the success of its 2014 concert, Band Together has donated more than $3.5 million to local nonprofits since its inception in 2001. With its 2013 partners, Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities and its 2014 partners, Communities In Schools of Wake County and Communities In Schools of Durham County, Band Together has raised nearly $1.5 million with the past two years’ concerts. In 2015 Band Together has an aggressive goal to raise $2 million for their partnership with StepUp Ministry.Past nonprofit partners have included Urban Ministries of Wake County, Alliance Medical Ministry, StepUp Ministry, The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, SAFEChild, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle and more.For more information about Band Together, visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook, join their LinkedIn group or follow @bandtogethernc on Twitter. To learn more about our 2016 nonprofit partner visit, www.kidznotes.org.###About Band Together NCBand Together NC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders and volunteers from across the Triangle. Since its inception in 2001, the organization has donated more than $3.5 million to philanthropic organizations through one mission: using live music as a platform for social change. Band Together’s annual concert event is organized and led by a team of more than 500 volunteers.About KidznotesKidznotes is inspired by “El Sistema,” the international movement of music for social change hailing from Venezuela. Kidznotes changes the life trajectory of underserved K-12 students through orchestral training. Kidznotes provides 10 hours of music instruction a week free of charge to participants in grades K-7. Launched in 2010, the program now serves more than 200 students in five Durham elementary and middle schools. The Raleigh initiative which began in the fall of the 2013, has welcomed 70 Raleigh students to the Kidznotes family. For more information, visit www.kidznotes.org.