BSB Charities

AJ's grandmother, Ursula Fernandez, recently passed
away after a long illness. During the last six months
of her life, Mrs. Fernandez was cared for by a local
Hospice in Orlando. The family is very grateful for
the care she received and would request that any
donation made on behalf of AJ's grandmother be sent
to:

Vitas Hospice Charitable
5151 Adanson St.
Orlando, FL 32804
Attn: Foundation

Additionally, you can make a credit card donation by
calling 877-800-2951. Please make sure you state which
Hospice it is for and that it is in Memory of Ursula
Fernandez.

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The Pre New Year's Bash Show benefited the Orlando Sentinel Santa Children's Fund.

Proceeds from Johnny's 9 City Swang benefited VH1's Save the Music Foundation, which the Backstreet Boys are also involved in.

"Music has obviously played a huge role in my life. Being involved in supporting VH1's 'Save The Music Foundation' and helping provide the same opportunities I've had, to the less fortunate schools in our country, just seems like the natural thing to do'' [Johnny No Name]

Find out more about Save The Music

Just like the Backstreet Boys, and Johnny No-Name you can help save the music in your community. Here's how: Write your Congressional Representative to advocate for music education in your community. Call VH1's toll-free hotline @ 1-888-VH1-4MUSIC to receive information about VH1 Save The Music. Sign up for VH1's Listserv to let VH1 better support you.

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Here are a few tips for students who want an opportunity to bring music into their lives.

1.Take lessons and practice, practice, practice. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to find out a way to learn music any way you can. Learning how to play an instrument or properly sing a song will expand your heart, mind, and will make it easier to learn math and science.

2.Define your purpose. Develop a mission statement. Succinctly state your purpose for involvement in music.

3.Talk to your principal. The principal's office is nothing to fear. Turn in a letter with your mission statement, what you want to say, and questions you want answered before the meeting. Once you and your parents sign it, turn it in with a request for a face-to-face meeting. In the meeting, ask questions and learn about what he or she thinks. Discuss what you learned with your parents.

4.Get your parents involved. If there is no music program at your school, ask Mom or Dad to find out about how they, and other parents like them, can help put together a program at your school. You would be surprised how much influence your own parents can have.

5.Create a student music organization. A number of student music organizations already exist nation-wide. Call them up and ask how you can launch your own chapter. Find a teacher who will support your ideas and sponsor your group. Rally your friends and other music-lovers to get involved. It can be fun, and it will look great on your resume for college.

6.There is a lot of money out there. If you get good at playing an instrument, your potential could help pay for school. Music scholarships are offered to almost every college in America, but you first need to learn the basics, work hard, and be ready to audition.

7.Attend school board meetings. Believe it or not, all those people in suits are working for you. It is their job to serve your educational needs. Observe the process, personalities, and speak your mind. Be positive and always be polite to school board members. Also, don't forget to bring your parents.

8.Call other music teachers around town. If you're trying to start a program or just trying to make your program better, call other music teachers in town and find out how they make their programs strong. They can help you create a strategy and warn you of pitfalls.

9.Know your local and state legislators. Find out your local and state legislators' names (and the names of their staff), addresses, phone, and fax numbers. Ask your music parents if any of them have helped during one of their campaigns. Ask these government leaders how they feel about arts education. Invite them to your concerts and send them your mission statement.

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