Event Alert: Music Unites, Rolling Stone, Garnier Fructis Cover Reveal Party on Wed. Aug. 3

Music Unites, the NYC-based non-profit organization dedicated to funding sustainable music education programs, is partnering with Rolling Stone and Garnier Fructis to celebrate the first ever unsigned artist cover.

On August 3, one of the two “Do You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star?” finalists, either Lelia Broussard (see the SonicScoop feature on Brooklyn producer Dan Romer’s work with Leila here)or The Sheepdogs - together with music industry luminaries, VIPs and media, will gather at the Empire Hotel Rooftop in New York to celebrate the unveiling of the cover and raise funds for Music Unites. 100% proceeds from this event will benefit Music Unites.

As Music Unites explains it:

Rolling Stone’s “Do You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star?” contest began with 16 unsigned acts competing for the most coveted prize in music – the cover of Rolling Stone.  After four rounds of public voting, the two finalists battled it out on stage last month at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN. The ultimate winner, in addition to being the first unsigned act to ever appear on the cover, will also receive a recording contract with Atlantic Records.

The winner will be announced on a billboard in Times Square on August 1 and they will also perform on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” the following day. On August 3, the winner will be joined by the Editors of Rolling Stone and Music Unites founder Michelle Edgar at the cover reveal party. Music will be provided by DJ Paul Sevigny.

Limited tickets to the invitation-only party are available for purchase for $50 at musicunites.org/events. Also, through Facebook, people can help support Music Unites simply by clicking “LIKE” on the Music Unites Facebook page and becoming a fan of the cause. Each new “LIKE” through August 1 is automatically entered in to a draw to win a pair of tickets to the exclusive cover reveal party.  All proceeds will go towards launching the Music Unites Youth Choir campaign to create after school programs across New York City’s five boroughs.

Proceeds generously donated to Music Unites by tickets sales for the Rolling Stone cover reveal event will enable the organization to build on the foundation it has created in its first two years inspiring and supporting the next generation of musicians and music professionals.

Music Unites programs and initiatives benefiting under-served communities in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, include the Music Unites Youth Choir, Empowering Women through Music, and Adopt-A-School. Music Unites has also hosted multiple workshops and discussion panels, some geared toward music education and mentoring for students, and others geared toward networking, for the music industry community at large.

Music Unites has fostered many exciting partnerships over the past two years, having presented several successful, inspirational and informative outreach events in conjunction with organizations including ASCAP, Girls Inc., The Grammy Museum, Bebe Stores Inc., The Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum, and the UN Foundation. Some of the artists Music Unites has worked with include Sting, Mark Ronson, Chester French, John Forte, and more recently Kate Nash, Shontelle, Caitlin Moe, and Diane Birch.

The Rolling Stone unsigned artist cover is on sale nationwide from August 5.

Full Coordnates:

WHO: Rolling Stone cover winner (either Lelia Broussard or The Sheepdogs). Music provided by DJ Paul Sevigny

WHAT: Rolling Stone cover party unveiling first unsigned act to be on the cover

WHEN: August 3rd, 2011 at 8pm til 11pm

WHERE: Empire Hotel Rooftop, 44 West 63rd Street, New York

PRESENTED BY:  Garnier Fructis  SPONSORED BY:  Heineken and Sobieski Wodka Polska

ADMISSIION: Limited tickets to the invitation-only party are available for purchase for $50 at musicunites.org/events, or via Facebook as detailed above.

Event Alert: Music Unites Celebrates “The Music of Neil Young at Carnegie Hall”

Music Unites, an NYC non-profit and friend of SonicScoop, is one of many charitable organizations helping to celebrate “The Music of Neil Young at Carnegie Hall”, presented by Michael Dorf and Carnegie Hall on Thursday, February 10th.

Artists scheduled to perform at this landmark evening will include:

Cowboy Junkies, Juliana Hatfield & Evan Dando, Bettye LaVette, Shawn Colvin,  Bebel Gilberto, Aaron Neville, The Wood Brothers, Keller Williams, Joan Osborne, Jakob Dylan, J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Glen Hansard, Mason Jennings, DeVotchKa, Ben Ottewell (of Gomez), Pete Yorn, Joe Purdy, plus Larry Cambell in the house band.

Advance tickets are available here.

In addition to Music Unites, 100% of the net proceeds from this event will benefit: Fixing Instruments for Kids in Schools, Church Street School for Music & Art, The Pinwheel Project, The American Symphony Orchestra and Young Audiences New York.

Music Unites is a New York City-based non-profit organization supporting musical artists and professionals through performance and education opportunities

ASCAP and Music Unites Present Night School on Tuesday, 1/18: Managers – When and Why You Need Them

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), the leading U.S. performing rights organization, and Music Unites, a non-profit organization supporting musical artists and professionals through performance and education opportunities, have teamed up to present four workshops on integral aspects of the music business.

The third of four sessions, “Managers — When and Why You Need Them” will be held on Tuesday January 18 2011 at Norwood, 241 West 14th Street, New York, NY, focusing on management and featuring a panel of industry insiders including:

• Dawn Barger from Post Hoc Management (Nicole Atkins, The National)
• Melissa Emert-Hutner from Hoseb Management (Ethan Allen, Anna Wayland)
• James Johnson from Pilot Creative Services, Inc. (Benny Blanco, Neon Hitch)
• Michael Iurato from In De Goot Management (10 Years, Theory of a Deadman)

Previous ASCAP/Music Unites workshops focused on music publishing, and artists’ DIY options. The comprehensive series is intended to provide participants with a setting for the exchange of ideas and perspectives on navigating a course for survival and success in today’s dynamic industry, as well as networking opportunities.

Each workshop consist s of an hour long panel discussion followed by a 20 minute Q&A session. Imagem Music artist Rebecca Jordan is scheduled to end next Tuesday evening with a live performance.

Admission for each class is $20 and can be purchased at www.musicunites.org/events. 100% of proceeds will benefit Music Unites.

Music Unites Youth Choir at Bronx Zoo’s “Sing for Wildlife” Thursday, 12/30

NYC-based non-profit Music Unites is closing off a successful 2010 with a featured performance on Thursday, Dec. 30th at the Bronx Zoo’s “Sing for Wildlife” competition.

The Music Unites Youth Choir will close the year as the featured performance on December 30th, 12:45 PM, at the Bronx Zoo’s Sing for Wildlife competition. Presented jointly by The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Hard Rock Café, this opportunity gives student choral groups from the five boroughs the chance to compete for the title of “best” choral group in New York. The final round of competition will feature a special cast appearance from Green Day’s American Idiot on Broadway.

The Music Unites Youth Choir, in partnership with Young Audiences New York, has been selected as one of the groups to represent local cultural institutions, and will appear as a special guest with a performance during the competition.

Now in its second academic year, the Music Unites Youth Choir consisted of 40 students has been exposed to unique performance and mentoring educational opportunities such as a Carnegie Hall performance in Michael Dorf’s The Music of The Who, this fall’s workshop with artist Reni Lane, and “Careers in Music” night which featured panelists from Epic Records, MTV and Bowery Presents.

According to Music Unites Founder Michelle Edgar, “In less than two years, Music Unites has grown exponentially and expanded a number of its programs. The New York-based non-profit has grown from an idea for an organization that would connect people through music and performance, to a boutique organization that is simultaneously supporting music education programs in urban student communities, helping musicians from diverse genres get their music heard, introducing audiences to new artists, and providing unique partnering and branding opportunities for a variety of organizations.

“The organization’s first initiative grew from the launch of the Music Unites Youth Choir to multiple initaitives including Empowering Women Through Music, ASCAP Night School series and a nationwide instrument drive.”

Also, mark your calendars for a Neil Young tribute from Music Unites, coming up on February 10th. You can read more about Music Unites in this previous SonicScoop feature.

Music Unites and ASCAP Present Night School: DIY 101 on Tuesday 11/30

On Tuesday, November 30th at 7 PM, one of NYC’s most vital music non-profits, Music Unites, is teaming again with ASCAP to present the next edition of ASCAP’s Night School.

This 3-hour session is “DIY 101: Critical insights on independent artists’ options for creating successful careers.”

Panelists will include experts from GigMaven, Pledgemusic, Songtrust, and TuneCore. There will also be a Special Performance by Daniel Wayne.

LOCATION: SKYLINE STUDIOS, 36 W. 37th Street, 3rd Floor

Must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $20 and are available here.

Music Unites and ASCAP Present Night School: Publishing 101 Tonight, Tuesday 11/16

SonicScoop’s favorite non-profit, Music Unites, is teaming with ASCAP to present ASCAP’s Night School: Publishing 101: Everything You Need To Know About Publishing.

The event is tonight, Tuesday November 16, 2010, from 7pm-10pm at Norwood Club, 241 14th Street, 4th Floor

Panelists for this highly educational event include EMI Music, Downtown Music Publishing and Shapiro Bernstein.  In addition, the indie sounds of  Savoir Adore will provide live music.

Must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $20 and are available here.

Music Unites: Inspiration and Music Education in Motion Across NYC

MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN: Charged up is a good way to describe the onset of Music Unites. A non-profit focused on bringing music education to underprivileged children in underfunded inner city school systems, Music Unites is one of many emerging organizations with an ambitious agenda.

A classically-trained pianist, Michelle Edgar launched Music Unites in mid-2009, after looking extensively for a charity that she would be thrilled to donate $1000 to. But lacking a match, she moved fast to start her own philanthropic program. Just a year later, Music Unites has made itself heard quickly by hosting innovative events, then following up with a star-powered style of community outreach that appears to be resonating.

The founder filled us in on the eve of two notable events in one week. First they’re teaming with Rolling Stone to present InTune with the Fiery Furnaces and DJ Alexandra Richards downtown on Tuesday, 6/29. The next day, Wednesday 6/30, Music Unites will be the sole charitable beneficiary of an anticipated Culture Project production, the performance of “Twin Spirits” with Sting and Trudie Styler at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Why did you kick off Music Unites?

I wanted to create a community that supported emerging and established musicians across all genres of music, and broke down traditional barriers between classical, rock, hip hop and jazz—bringing that music to underserved communities and funding music education programs.

I also wanted to give artists a chance to develop and build a philanthropic outreach program tailored to what they’re passionate about. We work closely with the artists and their teams to develop long-term initiatives, and fundraise on the artists’ behalf to make their initiatives and programs come to life, so they’re proud of their initiatives which are personally tailored to what they stand for.

The community of artists and the showcases are meant to inspire artists of different genres to collaborate with one another, and expose people to new types of music across all genres that they traditionally might not be used to.

This seems to be a concept that’s gaining steady steam, city-wide. Why do you think the focus of Music Unites — bringing music education to underprivileged children in inner city school systems – seems to have such a sense of urgency?

An investment in music education is an investment in both our children and in our society: Our mission is to foster and nurture the next generation of young artists.

Regardless of age, race, gender, or ethnicity, music has the ability to transcend barriers between people and effect positive social change. Music provides children with a creative outlet that promotes the development of self-discipline, self-esteem, cross-cultural understanding, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. In adults, music can help strengthen the connection to our local community and society at large.

It’s well documented that the skills learned through musical training and education are critical to both scholastic and future workforce success. Music Unites strives to build a platform for emerging artists – one that connects with under-privileged youths to engage them in music education.

That’s a big mission to take on. So tell us about the approach you take to accomplishing your goals: How are you spreading the Music Unites message and helping it to take effect?

Started only one year ago, Music Unites has garnered much acclaim by raising $55,000 to support our first major initiative — The Music Unites Youth Choir, an inner city choir bringing together under-privileged children from the five boroughs of New York City together with our partners from the Young Audiences of New York.

Launched in fall 2009, this free after-school program allows young people to develop their musical, vocal and performance skills under the guidance of professional vocalists, musicians and theater artists, while exploring a variety of musical styles. The kids made their debut at Carnegie Hall in a Who tribute back in March and we’ve brought our artists, including John Forte and Jaicko, to do workshops and speak to the children. Back in May, we also brought the kids into a studio to record their first song they wrote.

On the educational outreach front, we’ve brought our services to inner city schools in Harlem and Brooklyn by doing programs with our artists where they go into the schools and share and inspire the children through their stories on how they got where they are today—teaching them the right lessons as well as their struggles and challenges along the way.

You do a lot of public events as well, including a dynamite duo this week: first InTune with the Fiery Furnaces and DJ Alexandra Richards on Tuesday, followed by benefitting from a a production of “Twin Spirits” with Sting and Trudie at JILC. Wow.

The charity continues to grow in leaps and bounds as we’ve produced successful events and gotten a diverse community of artists to support our cause from Sting, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Melanie Fiona, and Peter Bjorn and John, Fiery Furnaces to Alexandra Richards and more. Through these events and many others, we’ve worked with prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, the U.N. and Carnegie Hall which has helped us garner a certain level of respect in the industry, being such a young grassroots organization.

We are currently at a pivotal point in our organization’s growth to help support of our music education initiatives, which include a nationwide instrument drive and the creation of an all-scholarship-based Music Unites Summer Camp, similar to that of Tanglewood but for children who would traditionally not have the opportunity to go to such a camp.

Those are some fast achievements, and tantalizing possibilities. But what differentiates Music Unites from other non profits out there?

We’ve built a dynamic and culturally diverse community of artists that are committed to our mission, and we give our artists an opportunity to create their own programs tailored to their passions — so they can feel strongly for what they represent and stand for.

There’s consistency and regularity with our artist showcases which happen on a monthly basis. We’ve created a community where musicians across genres come and support one another

In less then a year, we’ve been able to partner with major companies like OK magazine, Rolling Stone and Lancome which has been tremendously exciting to such a young charity.

What’s rewarding about working with a musical non profit? Let us in on a memorable moment or two.

There are so many—it’s hard because they’re all very special for different reasons and a labor of love. I would have to say the UN peacekeeping concert with the UN, Lincoln Center Fall Masquerade with the Young Patrons, The Who Tribute at Carnegie Hall where the kids made their debut and the HIGHLIGHT- our December event with Sting and Trudie premiering their Twin Sprits project, a classical music project which I really think speaks to what we stand for.

And now, being involved with the live production of the music on the 30th at Lincoln Center with our Music Unites artists including Joshua Bell and Natasha. Sting and Trudie’s Rainforest Foundation gala was the inspiration of Music Unites and it has been such a true privilege and honor to work with them.

Those are some serious privileges. On the flipside, what makes this initiative a bigger challenge than you expected?

The desperate need for this kind of thing. With budgets being cut every single day we need to raise significant funds to service the schools and communities, to keep music alive. We have the artists who are willing to do whatever it takes: Now the focus is on fundraising and helping take this organization to the next level.

We all need mentors. Who are people that have been inspiring you along the way?

Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor of the LA Philharmonic, Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Records President, and Sylvia Rhone, the President of Universal Motown. I’ve been inspired with the work Gustavo has done tied to El Sistema orchestras and want to be part of the work he is doing here in the US with building these orchestras. Also, he works hard in bridging the gap and looks to do things out of the box by pushing the envelope. This is needed, especially right now to attract new audiences to classical music.

Julie and Sylvia are women I look up to. They are leaders and innovators in the music business who inspire the next generation. If I can do half of what they’ve contributed to the music community over my lifespan, I’d be content with myself.

If people or companies want to get involved with Music  Unites, what are the different ways they can help?

We’re always looking for strategic partnerships and are always open to new ideas across a multitude of industries from music, fashion, technologic, entertainment. We build platforms and look to 360 marketing integrations that are mutually beneficial for the organization since they help raise money, in addition to being mutually beneficial for the brand and company.

Finally, we say: Why must you be in NYC?

We were born here and NY will always be home. It’s the melting pot—uniting people and music!

– David Weiss

Gig Alert! Music Unites Brings You Russian Violinist Mikhail Simonyan, Monday 6/14, at City Winery

Teaming with Beethoven Not Bullets and City Winery, the NYC non-profit Music Unites will present a classical music showcase on Monday, June 14th, featuring acclaimed Russian violinist Mikhail Simonyan, supported by members of The New York Philharmonic.

Proceeds from the event (ticket info below) will benefit the Afghanistan National Institute of Music.

Considered a national superstar since he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 1999, Simonyan has seen his career dramatically blossom, culminating in a reception from President Vladimir Putin in acknowledgment of his status as one of Russia’s most promising musicians.

In an effort to bring music and music education to under-served, underpriviledged communities, Music Unites has developed programs that “connect people through the universality of music by providing communities with opportunities for a rich musical experience.” Through music education programs in urban schools and accessible artist showcases, the non-profit group has been dutifully supporting the next generation of New York City’s music and culture. Partnering with Beethoven Not Bullets, Music Unites takes these efforts global.

So come out Monday night, June 14th, to the City Winery (Doors at 8PM), and lend your ears to Simonyan and musicians from the New York Philharmonic, all while supporting the Afghanistan National Institute of Music.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets ($30 General Admission; $50 VIP Admission), visit Music Unites.

Event Alert: Music Unites’ Classical Music Showcase with Violinist Charlie Siem

This Thursday (4/29), Music Unites is hosting a ticketed concert with violinist Charlie Siem to benefit the Music Unites Youth Choir. Part of Music Unites’ Classical Music Showcase Series, the event will be held in the Fred Perry Room at SPiN.

Previous Classical Music Showcase artists include Lang Lang and Joshua Bell.

The Music Unites Youth Choir, consists of students from all over NYC. In partnership with Young Audiences New York, they made their debut at Carnegie Hall in a tribute to The Who in March.

Hailing from London, Charlie Siem has been playing classic violin since the age of three. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music under the tutelage of Itzhak Rashkovsky and Shlomo Mintz. Siem has played many festivals, including the Windsor, Spoleto, St. Moritz and Gstaad, and performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Israel Camerata, Bergen Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra Vilnius and Petros Sinfonica Brazil.

Music Unites is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports musicians of all genres and levels with the desire to connect people through music by providing communities with musical experience opportunities. It provides music education programs with mentors to inner city school systems and offers musicians performance opportunities through concert events. Their main philanthropic focus is the Music Unites Youth Choir, which will practice and perform in well-known venues via Music Unites partnership with Young Audiences New York.

The event time is from 8pm to 11pm. Tickets to the event are $40 tickets and can be purchased here. The proceeds will be donated to the Music Unites Youth Choir.

The event address is:

Fred Perry Room at SPiN New York

48 East 23 Street

New York, NY 10010

Help NYC Non-Profit Music Unites Win $50K From Pepsi

Music Unites, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to bringing music education to underprivileged children in underfunded inner city school systems, has entered Pepsi’s Refresh Everything contest, which gives grants to organizations with the most votes.

Help them win! Here’s a message from Music Unites on how you can help:

“Join our Virtual Volunteer Army by voting daily for Music Unites. You can also help out by posting to your Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. And nothing, really nothing, replaces the power of word of mouth. Tell your friends!

If we receive the grant, Music Unites will be able to keep our Youth Choir, established in conjunction with Young Audiences, running for the following three years. The Youth Choir is made up of underprivileged students throughout New York City and its five boroughs and receives music education, as well as workshops and mentoring opportunities with established and emerging artists.

The Music Unites Youth Choir, founded in 2009, had already been given amazing opportunities such as a chance to perform on a roster with Patti Smith and other legendary names at Carnegie Hall during a tribute concert to The Who. We have also, as an organization, received the backing and fundraising efforts of brands such as Interview Magazine, OK! Magazine, and Lancome, and have worked with artists such as Mark Ronson, Daniel Merriweather, Peter Bjorn & John, John Forte, Jaicko, Howie Day, Melanie Fiona, and Sting.

But, it’s not enough. And really, if Sting is on board, shouldn’t you be?

Do something good today. It only takes one second and at the click of a button, you could change someone’s life. Vote now at

http://www.refresheverything.com/musicunites?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=good_luck