Villa Maria College, Western New York's premier private college, offering degrees in Business, Early Childhood Education, Education Studies, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Hospitality Management, Interior Design, Jazz, Liberal Arts, Music, Music Business, Photography, and Physical Therapist Assistant.

Villa Maria College's Music Department is a proud partner of MUSIC IN ACTION, a unique program delivering music industry skills training to local high school students as created and sponsored by Buffalo's own Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls and his Music is Art (MiA) organization.

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Music In Action

By Melanie Pritchard
November 8, 2007

Some students in Buffalo are getting into the music business. They're learning just what it takes to make a CD from beginning to end.

Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls is the guy behind the popular "Music is Art" program. Now it's going a step further. Students at Buffalo's Academy for Visual and Performing Arts are learning a lesson about "Music in Action." They're taking music lessons to a whole new level. 18 students are part of in " Music in Action," the B-side if you will of Robby Takac's " Music is Art." "It started out because it was a lot of fun. It was a great reason to be home," said Takac. "Now it's a freight train out of control."

Experts in the music industry will come to the school to work hands on with the kids. "They learn about all aspects of the business from recording to artist management to marketing to event production," said Bob James with Music is Art.

Buffalo Alliance for Education Executive Director Patricia Jensen says, "When they work with the students they end up creating and working with the artists on different levels and creating a CD at the end where the students actually write and perform their own music."

Takac isn't the only Buffalonian who will be lending them a hand. "There are so many people from here that are passionate about this area who are out working amongst professionals in the business and they're more than willing to come back."

Music in Action has several partners...including Villa Maria College, which is donating 5 thousand dollars to the project -- and the Buffalo Sabres. "We sell these "Better Day Videos" that we help support money for the foundation [Buffalo Sabres Foundation] and we're giving the first ten thousand dollars back to your program at the school here," said Larry Quinn.

The students will learn how to make a CD but it's much more than that. "As they gain these skills which are transferable not only to the entertainment industry but also into any part of the work force that they're going to be entering," said Performing Arts Principal Kevin Kazmierczak.

"It's wonderful for Buffalo to be a trailblazer in this way," said Dr. Folasade Oladele, Buffalo Public Schools Chief Academic Officer.

Buffalo's "Music in Action" is getting attention in other cities. Schools in Philadelphia and Los Angeles are looking into it now.

BUFFALO SABRES FOUNDATION ASSISTS MUSIC IS ART

Buffalo Sabres Nov 8, 2007, 7:08 PM EST

In a morning press conference on Thursday at the new location for the Buffalo Public School of Performing Arts, Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn announced the Buffalo Sabres Foundation grant of $10,000 to the Music Is Art Foundation and its Music in Action program.

Music in Action is a full-year training program at the Performing Arts Academy, which focuses on a mix of music business skills and leadership teamwork.

Founded by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, the program has been widely applauded around the country for its educational efforts in the field of music and youth development.

“I’m proud to make this grant on behalf of the foundation, which was initially funded through the sales of our season recap DVD 'Better Days,'" said Quinn. "The song of the same name by the Goo Goo Dolls was prominently used throughout the video and had become the theme of last years playoff run."

Music is Art was the creation of a privately funded organization dedicated to keeping the Arts in education alive in Buffalo Public Schools through financial and material donations, mentoring and instruction from the private sector.

It is a commonly recognized concept that Arts in an educational setting improves learning ability, concentration, as well as aids in dexterity and reasoning skills.

“Music Is Art has evolved from an idea in my head to something that is truly a benefit to the Buffalo students," said Takac. "This grant from the Sabres will go along way towards making this program a success."

Music is Art believes that no one should be denied his or her musical voice, and that as a person, a community and as a culture it is our need, responsibility, and obligation to pass along our history and language to those who follow.

These beliefs go hand-in-hand with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation's commitment to assisting worthwhile organizations that make this region a better place to live and work.

Established in 1995 and reinvigorated in 2004 following the acquisition of the Buffalo Sabres by owner B. Thomas Golisano, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation strives to help enhance the quality of life in the Western New York region.

The foundation focus' on initiatives directed at child health and wellness with specific dedication to the underprivileged and handicapped, and assists non-profit organizations who provide vital services to those in need.

Since 2004, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation has made numerous grants totaling over $200,000 to worthwhile Western New York organizations, including $100,000 gift to Buffalo’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital; a $30,000 grant to Hasek’s Heros; and a $15,000 grant to SABAH.