Verizon Foundation and James Taylor Generously Give To Musicians

With the art departments getting cut from schools every day, music will always need a lending hand. Unfortunately to many, music is a luxury and not a necessity to have in life. Does that sound absurd? We think so too, but it’s always good to know that there are some big names out there trying to keep the music alive.

Verizon, the company mostly known for its phone empire, has recently been very generous when it comes to up and coming musicians – specifically in Brooklyn. Verizon’s own foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). This grant will aid students enrolled in BAM’s professional development workshops and after-school program. In addition this the $15,000, Verizon has also given the school $10,000 to support the school’s Spring Gala which makes the grand total charity of $25,000.

That total may not seem a lot in regards to charity, but the Verizon Foundation has dished out more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. They’ve also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.

Speaking of musicians, one particular musician has also recently had a whim of kindness. Singer-songwriter, James Taylor, has announced that he will be donating $500,000 of his five-day festival earnings at Tanglewood (which takes place next week). The donation will go directly to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra his wife is currently a trustee for.

Although it may be a personal gift, the concern is still for the general public. Both Taylor and his wife became worried when they saw that the support for classical music had significatly declined. The couple has actually given more than $700,000 between 2005 and 2008 and if no one cares about classical music anymore, they might just be giving their life savings for awareness.