Jazz Fest Sponsor donates booth space to gather musical instruments for local students
13 August 2018
ELMIRA, N.Y.—M&T Bank is offering an opportunity to put that musical instrument in your garage or basement back into play for local students. Donations of used musical instruments will be accepted by local M&T employees at the Ferrario Southern Tier Jazz Festival, the premier summer jazz concert in the Elmira and Corning area.
For the second consecutive year, M&T will use its booth space as a Jazz Fest sponsor to gather musical instruments for the Economic Opportunity Program’s (EOP) Ernie Davis Community Center Music Consortium, which offers musical training and support to help area youth learn musical instruments and voice techniques.
“We encourage our neighbors to come out and enjoy the Southern Tier Jazz Festival, and to donate any used instruments and help us make a difference in the lives of students,” said Anne Tiberia, M&T Bank Retail Market Manager for the Southern Tier. “By using our booth space to collect instruments for the EOP, we hope to cultivate a passion for music in students who may not have otherwise gotten the opportunity. Music is a powerful tool that can enrich the lives of children.”
“We are so appreciative of M&T Bank’s support of music education for local students and hope to turn this instrument drive into an annual tradition,” said Andrea Ogunwumi, Economic Opportunity Program CEO and Executive Director. “Any instruments donated will stay right here in our local community to help local students, potentially inspiring the next generation of musicians.”
To donate an instrument, bring it to M&T Bank’s booth at the Southern Tier Jazz on Saturday, August 18 from 2 - 7 p.m. Music supplies such as music stands, guitar strings and drum sticks are welcomed in addition to instruments.
According to Ogunwumi, the cost of renting or purchasing musical instruments can be a barrier for many families, limiting the opportunity children may have for music education, self-expression and other, positive influences of music.
“Music education has been shown to improve and enhance the learning, communication and academic performance of students. By donating used instruments, community members will be able to put students on a path toward success, whether in music or another area,” said Ogunwumi.
For those unable to attend Jazz Fest, musical instruments can be dropped off at M&T Bank’s Horseheads Branch, 2490 Corning Rd, Elmira, NY, and Corning Market Street Branch, 5 E Market St Suite 103 Suite 103, Corning, NY, during business hours, starting Monday, August 20.
For more information on the Southern Tier Jazz Festival, visit www.southerntierjazzfestival.com.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Trust-related services are provided by M&T’s Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. © 2017 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.
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Media Contact:
Julia Berchou
(716) 842-5385
jshanahan@mtb.com