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Alfred Hopton (Rogers & Cowan) 310/201-8859
Rudi Simpson (The NARAS Foundation) 310/392-3777

THE NARAS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES

1999 "GRAMMY^® Signature Schools" RESULTS

Chantilly High School, Chantilly, VA

among 250 high schools recognized for their commitment to music education

Santa Monica, CA February 8, 1999—The NARAS Foundation has announced the honorees of its first annual GRAMMY Signature Schools program. Determined on the basis of a scoring system applied by a panel of top music educators and professionals, the 250 schools were selected on the basis of their high level of commitment to music education. Each Signature School will receive certificates of recognition, with 16 of the highest scoring schools receiving a $5,000 cash award to be applied to their music department budget. The top scoring school, in addition to the cash award, will be honored during GRAMMY Week, with school representatives attending GRAMMY Week arts activities and receiving tickets to the 41st GRAMMY Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on February 24, 1999. The program is funded by the NARAS Foundation along with a grant from Target^® Stores.

"We are thrilled to give national recognition to these schools for an outstanding job of fostering their arts programs in a difficult cultural funding environment," said Michael Greene, President & CEO of the Recording Academy^®. "We applaud them for their success in ensuring that music education does not become a cultural casualty in their districts, and for implementing music education programs that make a positive difference in lives of young adults."

Responding to the announcement, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said, "At a time when creativity and communication skills are at a premium, schools like those being recognized in this program are using the arts for their rich potential to captivate and engage students in the process of learning. The arts help children learn to solve problems, think creatively, and develop mental discipline, which are valuable skills for any academic endeavor."

To begin the selection process, last September the NARAS Foundation mailed surveys to more than 14,000 public high schools across the country. The high schools were representative of schools nationwide; large and small districts, urban and rural, performing arts magnets and those with limited music budgets. The surveys, which requested information about the school's music programs were due back to the NARAS Foundation by October 15. Upon request, some schools were also asked to submit support documentation such as recordings of school concerts, sample concert programs, music curriculum and repertoire. Then in January, the advisory committee of top professionals from the education field and music industry convened to evaluate the materials and determine the schools meriting Signature School status.

Participating on the GRAMMY Signature Schools advisory committee are members of the American Federation of Musicians, ASCAP, the Berklee College of Music, BMI, the Council of Chief State School Officers, Crossroads School, IAJE, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, MENC, Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, NAMM, NASM, National Music Council, Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds and Walt Disney Entertainment.

The NARAS Foundation is a non profit organization dedicated to enhancing music education on all levels from elementary to professional and to ensuring access to our rich cultural legacy. NARAS Foundation programs include GRAMMY in the Schools, GRAMMY High School Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Festival and variety of music preservation and technology initiatives.