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Sydney Mead, pictured in her new music room outfitted by Make-A-Wish Mississippi with gear from Music & Arts
Music & Arts was recently brought in to partner on a very special project – a musical “Wish Reveal” spearheaded by Make-A-Wish® Mississippi and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, granting the wish of 12-year-old Sydney Mead for a decked-out music room.
Sydney was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare heart condition. But it doesn’t slow her down musically – she is a self-taught drummer and guitarist and enjoys “rocking out” with her family and has a particular passion for the rock music of the 1980s. Together the family resides in Madison, MS, and as her older brother recently moved out of the house for college, his room could be transformed into Sydney’s music suite.
Her wish was granted on Thursday, August 19, 2021, with a special surprise reveal that featured a red carpet and stage backdrop, leading up to the main event: a music room filled with the following components, courtesy of Music & Arts: a left-handed Squier Affinity Stratocaster guitar, a Rogue five-piece drum set with cymbals, ear protection via a Vic Firth isolation headset, a Peavey practice amp, and assorted accessories, including stickers, guitar strap, guitar stand and cable. And last but not least, Music & Arts added one month of music lessons for Sydney on the instrument of her choice. Flowood, MS-based Music & Arts Associates John Chappell (Store Manager) and Cliff Hellums (Percussion Specialist) were on-hand at the reveal to help get the ball rolling.
“Sydney was shocked. On the day of the surprise reveal, her sister escorted her up to the ‘red carpet’ we created for her (because every rock star must walk the red carpet!). After opening a few gifts at the stage backdrop, I asked for her help, because I had left one last thing inside the house. She turned the corner and shouted, ‘My music room!’ She was so excited and we can’t thank Music & Arts enough for helping us grant this wish,” said Linda Sermons, Wish Assistant at Make-A-Wish Mississippi.
Commenting on the efforts of Make-A-Wish Mississippi and Music & Arts, Sydney’s mother Brandi stated, “She absolutely loves her drum set and room! We can’t thank you enough for putting a smile on her face.”
“Music & Arts’ mission is to serve the local music community, and what better way to give back than partnering with Make-A-Wish Mississippi for this wish reveal. Sydney is a bright and talented young musician who has the kind of passion for music that fills our hearts with joy. We look forward to helping her hone her talent with lessons from one of our instructors soon. Thank you Make-A-Wish Mississippi for letting us be a part of Sydney’s musical journey,” said John Chappell, Store Manager of the Music & Arts store in Flowood, MS.
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