Fred and Dinah Gretsch (president and CFO, respectively, of the Savannah-based Gretsch Company) appeared at the Savannah Arts Academy this past Friday, May 16 to present the school with a GRAMMY® Signature Schools Enterprise Award.
Just as the GRAMMY Award recognizes excellence in recording, the GRAMMY Foundation Signature Schools program honors public high schools for outstanding commitment to their music education programs. Fred and Dinah Gretsch are uniquely suited to act as presenters of this important award.
In addition to being key figures in the music industry for more than thirty years, Fred and Dinah Gretsch have been—and continue to be—tireless advocates of music education and outreach programs. In 2003 the Atlanta Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Fred and Dinah with the organization’s Heroes Award. That award (now called Recording Academy Honors) is the highest honor bestowed by a Recording Academy chapter, and is given to recognize individuals who have improved the environment for the creative community. In 2008 Fred and Dinah’s ongoing accomplishments earned them induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. And in 2010 Dinah Gretsch established the Mrs. G’s Music Foundation to support music programs in rural schools.
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1988 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation, and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public.
Twelve schools have been named GRAMMY Signature Schools for 2014, with seven receiving an Enterprise Award. This category recognizes efforts made by schools that are economically underserved. The May 16 presentation honored Savannah Arts Academy for being one of those seven outstanding schools, and included a grant of $5,500.
Fred Gretsch comments, “The Grammy Signature Schools award event was a true American classic in so many ways: an old-style red brick high school building, fantastic spring weather in late afternoon, a big family crowd on the front lawn, and terrific performances by a symphonic band, a jazz band, and a blues band. In all, over 100 musicians performed, with several authentic Gretsch drumkits included in the ensemble of gear.”
Dinah Gretsch adds, “This was a chance for us to speak to our Savannah community about the commitment of the Grammy Foundation and the Gretsch family to quality high-school music programs. And of course the audience and the band were overjoyed to receive the Grammy award and the cash grant that accompanied it. We were honored to make that presentation.”
Photo: Savannah Arts Academy music instructor Vann Thornton (left) with Fred and Dinah Gretsch and student band members holding the Grammy Signature School award.
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