AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs, Fidelity To Donate Musical Instruments

April 6, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH - The Manchester Monarchs and Fidelity Investments have partnered to donate nearly $8,000 worth of new musical instruments to the Concord Community Music School. Members of both organizations as well as New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes will present the instrument donation to students at a surprise unveiling at the School on Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m., where both a Monarchs player and the Purple Finches Children's Chorus from the Concord Community Music School will perform.

The gift will add five instruments to the Music School's collection: an oboe, French horn, clarinet and two flutes. The donation is made possible through Fidelity FutureStage, a community arts education initiative developed by the firm to support and strengthen music and theater education programs, and provide unique opportunities for underserved students to explore and develop their individual talents. In partnership with the Monarchs and its charitable arm, Monarchs Care Foundation, Fidelity raised partial funding for the instruments through Fidelity employee ticket sales to a Fidelity game night at the Monarchs, as well as the game night's 50/50 raffle proceeds by Fidelity Cares volunteers.

"While the donation is not a surprise to several Music School staff, the students will be completely astonished and extremely excited to learn to play the beautiful instruments before them," said Calvin Herst, director of education and community partnerships for the Music School.

The Music School plans to loan the instruments to under-served students while they take lessons, already made possible through financial assistance. "More than 40% of students served by the Concord Community Music School receive financial assistance," said Herst. "Even with the availability of that aid, however, the lack of access to high-quality instruments - so vital to successful musical training - remains a huge barrier to prospective students. This timely grant, made possible through the generosity of Fidelity Investments, will enable the Music School to invite a new group of students to begin individual instruction on beautiful, brand new instruments that they otherwise would never be able to afford," he added.

Alison Stebbins, Vice President, Public Affairs & Regional Site Leader for Fidelity Investments in Merrimack, NH is pleased to be able to add the impressive instruments to the school's lending inventory, "These new instruments will play a significant role in the lives of so many New Hampshire children, giving them access to the resources they need to develop their musical talents and interests," said Stebbins. "Learning to play an instrument can build valuable skills that will serve these students well throughout their lives," she added.

"The Monarchs and Monarchs Care Foundation are proud to partner with Fidelity to assist in the education of the arts in New England and in the donation of musical instruments to the Concord Community Music School," said Monarchs President Jeff Eisenberg. "Several of our players grew up with musical instruction; there's no doubt that they gained just as much self-esteem and confidence in themselves and their abilities while performing on stage as they did on the ice."

The Concord Community Music School provides instructions in all instruments and voice to more than 1,400 students ranging from 6 months to 96 years. Founded in 1984, the school is the largest community music school in northern New England and one of the largest in the nation.

More information on Fidelity FutureStage can be found at www.futurestage.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2009


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