The Atlanta Chapter, the GRAMMY Foundation and Gibson Baldwin Music Education presented GRAMMY Career Day with multi-platinum artists Collective Soul on May 10 at the Galloway School. More than 350 high school music students from Tri-Cities High School, North Springs High School and the Galloway School attended the event.
The Galloway School Upper Learning Band, "Smarty Pans" steel drum group, the Galloway String Ensemble and various chamber musicians performed for the students before Career Day began.
The Galloway School headmaster Dr. Linda Martinson welcomed the students and spoke of the importance of arts education in the schools and Chapter Senior Executive Director Michele Caplinger discussed The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation's music educational programming efforts. Chapter Governor and 99X program director Leslie Fram, who was instrumental in Collective Soul’s career, served as the moderator during a panel discussion with Tim Beeding (music booking agent, CAA), Toby Russell (CO5 Radio Promotions), Scott Sanders (entertainment attorney), Scott Welch (Scott Welch Mgmt./EL Music Group label head) and Collective Soul's Ed Roland and Will Turpin.
Roland, who founded the band, lead the panel discussion sharing information with the students about his background and foray into the music industry, as well as life in the business today. Roland had a little help from his friends on the panel, who spoke about their respective roles in the music business and their roles in Collective Soul's career as well as other artists they worked with. After one student mentioned to the band that she was an aspiring singer, Roland urged her to sing something for all of them. The performance segued into a mini "American Idol" talent show, with the students showing great potential and the panel giving positive feedback and direction. The panel discussion also featured a video highlighting Collective Soul’s music, videos and career accomplishments.
After a brief break for lunch, the students returned to the auditorium, and Chapter Governor Jay Wucher presented each school with an Ibanez electric guitar donated by Attina's Music Store, and Chapter Vice President Kenny Cresswell donated a set of cymbals from Avatar Events Group.
Immediately following the gift presentations, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra General Manager John Sparrow introduced Collective Soul for their closing performance. The band was accompanied by members of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. The performance was a big hit with the students, who sang along on all four songs, and the final song had the students dancing, and screaming for more.
Upon departing, each student received a goodie bag from the Chapter, filled with items donated from Atlanta Chapter Governors, radio stations, music companies, the Galloway School and the GRAMMY Foundation.
We are proud of the contributions that Collective Soul has made to rock music and even prouder that they are from our own backyard. This makes their participation in Career Day a special treat for the Atlanta Chapter, as well as our students, who were excited about this educational experience.