Cable helps save music

Restores music ed to schools

By RAY RICHMOND

Viacom-owned music cabler VH1 is taking its VH1 Save the Music campaign national, partnering with cable systems across America with the goal of raising $100 million worth of instruments for music programs in 50 schools over a five-year period.

Originally launched in partnership with Time Warner Cable of New York City in January 1997, the pilot program raised $1 million to support music education in the New York Public Schools system.

In expanding Save the Music, the network and cable operators representing such major MSOs as TCI, Time Warner, MediaOne, Century, Cox, Jones and Comcast have a joint goal of both restoring music education to public school curriculums and raising awareness about the benefits of music education. Sixteen individual cable systems have committed to participate.

Participating cable ops agree to raise music education through PSAs and press coverage. In addition, they will also urge the public to donate used instruments to schools. Corporate contributions to help purchase instruments also will be sought.