Meyer Music and Fox 4 TV in Kansas City hosted their 9th annual Band of Angels Heart Strings Gala on February 1. Set in a beautiful event space in Kansas City, tables were adorned with centerpieces created by Hallmark using retired music instruments while three lucky students performed for a crowd of 500. All of this was to raise money to help support music education and make music instruments, and scholarships available to underserved students throughout the country. Band of Angels was formed in 2010 with a mission to help students in need find music through the generosity of others. The organization collects used music instruments from the community and makes them available free of charge to those students with financial barriers that would prevent them from participating in school music programs. To date, Band of Angels has given away over 2200 instruments at no cost to the student or school and has provided over 315 full scholarships to camps across 15 states. “Each year the community and many from within the music industry continue to open their heart to support these kids and music education. We are so proud to be able to help these kids in need find music through the generosity of others.” said Mike Meyer of Meyer Music, and chairman of Band of Angels.
The 9th annual Heart Strings Gala featured professional saxophonist Kat Rodriguez, former longtime sax player for Beyonce and New York professional drummer Shirazette Tinnin. Kat and Shirazette lit up the room with their hour-long performance packed with incredible music. In addition, three students from the Kansas City area who have benefitted from the program were selected to perform with these incredible musicians. This year’s event was the most successful to date, raising over $80,000 to support the mission of Band of Angels. Representatives from Yamaha, Conn-Selmer, DANSR, Amati, Gemeinhardt and Harris Teller, were among those in attendance at the event. School music directors from the area were also invited to attend compliments from these companies for this wonderful night of music and celebration. Additionally, guests were also entertained by KC legends, The William Arthur Smith Marching Cobras drum line and drill team which was awarded an entire new drumline from Band of Angels this year for the 50th anniversary. The $20,000 donation was the largest gift ever received by the iconic group. “I have more joy in my heart today than you can imagine.” said Cobras founder Willie Smith after receiving the drumline. The Marching Cobras were formed by Smith in 1960 to keep inner city youth off the streets and out of trouble.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the first college scholarship offered by the organization. Chris Heard, a freshman at Langston University and recipient of a professional trumpet from BOA three years ago, was presented with a check to cover the remaining balance left after he earned many merit and music scholarships to college. “We are so thrilled to have Chris receive this scholarship, and help him pursue his dream of becoming a music educator.” said Carrie Hibbeler from Fox 4 TV. Helping kids with a college education has long been a dream of Band of Angels and this year they got to see that dream come to fruition. “We knew this day would come at some point, and it is just amazing to see the effect that we can have on these students’ future.” said Mike Meyer
Band of Angels was formed as a partnership between Kansas City’s Fox 4 TV and Meyer Music in 2010. The goal was to collect used music instruments and provide them to students in financial need free of charge making it possible to participate in beginning school band and orchestra programs. The program was expanded in recent years to help provide music camp scholarships for these same students. To date Band of Angels has provided over 2200 instruments to students and schools while also sending 315 students to summer music camps on full scholarship. To learn more about Band of Angels visit: www.bandofangelskc.org.
For more information about Band of Angels contact Mike Meyer at Meyer Music: (913) 491-6636.
