Musicopia Provides the Gift of Music Through $30,000 Grant from Rohm and Haas Company

SPRING HOUSE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rohm and Haas Company’s Spring House Technical Center has awarded its 2008 Community Partnership Initiative grant to Musicopia, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization.

The $30,000 grant from Rohm and Haas will allow Musicopia to launch the “Adventures in Great Music” program in the Upper Dublin and Wissahickon school districts. Scheduled to begin in October 2008, the program will include Musicopia’s excellent musical workshops, opportunities for students to interact with renowned musicians, and a large community concert to extend the program’s reach with the local residents. Musicopia's programs are designed to complement what the students are learning in the classroom and to break down cultural barriers by introducing students to the music, history and art of their own and others' heritages.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Wissahickon and Upper Dublin School Districts in order to enhance their music programs,” said Denise Kinney, Executive Director, Musicopia. “Musicopia's assembly and workshop programs will create excitement among elementary school students and give the opportunity for middle and high school students to work one-on-one with nationally recognized musicians. This project would not be possible without support from Rohm and Haas, and we are truly grateful for their generosity and support of a quality music education for all students."

The company’s Spring House Community Advisory Committee (CAC), comprised of neighboring residents and community leaders, has an important role in the Community Partnership Initiative. CAC members help identify the most pressing needs in their community, issue requests for proposals to non-profits, review the proposals and ultimately, select which organization is best suited to deliver solutions.

This grant marks the 11^th Community Partnership Initiative grant awarded in Spring House. Past CPI grant recipients include: Montgomery County Community College (a three time winner), Act II Playhouse, Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation (a two time winner), the Ambler YMCA (a three time winner), Access Services, and Inter-Faith Housing Alliance.

“The CPI program includes local residents in corporate philanthropic decisions. The involvement of our CAC members, who are all volunteers, is a critical part of the success of our CPI program. They ensure that the funding we provide goes to the best possible organization where it will be used in the most effective way for maximum positive impact on the community,” Christine M. Miller, Rohm and Haas director of North American Region Communications, said.

Musicopia works to bring a vibrant combination of music performance and education to students and communities throughout the Delaware Valley, with a particular focus on geographical areas that lack adequate music programs. With the goal of inspiring a deep love and knowledge of great music, Musicopia's programs promote the transformative powers of music, the value of musical discipline and an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Seven Rohm and Haas facilities in the United States serve as host communities conducting the CPI program. Nationally, Rohm and Haas has contributed $2.1 million to approximately 46 community organizations over the past 10 years through the program.

A part of Rohm and Haas’s Community Partnership Initiative (CPI), this grant falls under the umbrella of the company’s Responsible Neighbor Community Programs. It works to advance the economic, social, and environmental quality of life in the communities where Rohm and Haas operates and its employees live through giving, volunteerism and community dialogue.

Hi-res Photos:

http://www.rohmhaas.com/vocus/images/Jazz_Journey_Youth.jpg

Jazz Journey for Youth, with John Blake and student on violins (John Blake will be working with the Upper Dublin Middle School Honors Orchestra.)

http://www.rohmhaas.com/vocus/images/AfroCaribbean_music.jpg

Afro-Caribbean Music - This photo is from the Marlon Simon Latin Jazz Ensemble's Afro-Caribbean Rhythms assembly program. Musicopia will be bringing in assembly programs to all of the elementary schools in the Upper Dublin school district and two elementary schools in Wissahickon.

http://www.rohmhaas.com/vocus/images/lowhorns_play_together_clr.jpg

Low Horns Playing Together - This photo is from a master class with the Chestnut Brass Company. The Grammy-Award winning Chestnut Brass Company will be working with middle and high school students, primarily in Wissahickon, but Upper Dublin students will be invited to participate as well.

CPI video:

http://mfile.akamai.com/15020/wmv/rohmhaas.download.akamai.com/15020/corp/cpi_final.asx

CPI Background:

http://www.rohmhaas.com/wcm/about_us/community/giving/nar_cpi.page

About Rohm and Haas

Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry. The company’s technologies are found in a wide range of industries including: Building and Construction, Electronics and Electronic Devices, Household Goods and Personal Care, Packaging and Paper, Transportation, Pharmaceutical and Medical, Water, Food and Food Related, and Industrial Process. Innovative Rohm and Haas technologies and solutions help to improve life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007. Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information. Imagine the possibilities™.