The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Ford Motor Company Fund joined forces, for a record 27th time, to offer a live educational program and musical instrument donation
For additional images, please click here. Credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation
SAN ANTONIO, TX (JUNE 5, 2023) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Latin GRAMMY®-nominated artist El Fantasma and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, invested $40,000 as part of an educational experience that included a donation of musical instruments to Sidney Lanier High School in San Antonio, TX.
This investment in music education marks the 27th time that Ford Motor Company Fund supports a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ educational program. The program featured a conversation and performance with El Fantasma, along with a Q&A session with students who were gearing up to celebrate the end of the school year.
“It is important to support the artistic development of our newer musical creators,” said El Fantasma. “The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is committed to encouraging and fostering the next generation of musicians, and I’m honored to contribute to this journey.”
“Creating spaces that foster learning and meaningful conversations is incredibly important to us,” said Yisel Cabrera, Senior Manager, Economic Mobility at Ford Motor Company Fund. “We believe music is a powerful tool for learning and personal development, and we are committed to making it accessible to everyone. This partnership celebrates the rich legacy of Latin music and the voices that have helped shape our culture.”
Over the last two years Sidney Lanier High School’s marching band, known as the Mighty VOK (vocational) Marching Band, has grown from 44 members to 120 members, under the leadership of Jesse Orta, Director of Bands & Department Chair, who attended the high school 15 years ago. Given the 173% growth, the school has been challenged to keep up with the demand for instruments while providing access to music education and an outlet to students whose families face financial struggles. Despite these challenges, the Mighty VOK Marching Band continues to perform in competitions and receive top honors.
“We are grateful to Ford Motor Company Fund for their partnership as we celebrate the 27th Latin GRAMMY In The Schools together, impacting more than 30,000 students over the last eight years,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Consistency is the cornerstone of commitment, and as a result of Ford’s generosity along with artists like El Fantasma, we continue to empower communities through Latin music and culture.”
Since the beginning of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund in 2014, the program has benefited schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York; as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry and supports educational music departments that have financial limitations. The Foundation invites artists and professional musicians to visit middle and high schools, or music education institutions to share their personal stories and experiences with students that highlight the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.
Previous artists who have participated in the program include: Ángela Aguilar, David Bisbal, Marilina Bertoldi, Miguel Bosé, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Camilo, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.
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ABOUT EL FANTASMA:
El Fantasma is the vision of Mexican singer-songwriter Alexander García. As regional Mexican music continues to explode around the world, the Latin GRAMMY nominee is leading the way. He moved to the U.S. and worked as a gardener before debuting in 2016 with the album Equipo Armado. Since then, El Fantasma’s music videos have amassed over a billion views cumulatively on YouTube, and has earned four No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. In 2018, El Fantasma received his first Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Banda Album for En El Camino. Under the regional Mexican music umbrella, he has also scored hits in the Mexican corridos and norteño genres. El Fantasma has collaborated with greats in the Mexican music scene like Pepe Aguilar, Grupo Firme, and Los Dos Carnales. He has sold out venues across the U.S. on multiple tours, and released his most recent album in 2022, Pa Los Recuerdos, Vol. 5.
ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:
The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2014 to further international awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music and its makers to the world’s culture. The Foundation provides college scholarships, educational programs and grants for the research and preservation of its rich musical legacy and heritage, and to date has donated more than $7.6 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org, Amazon Smile or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook.
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND:
As the automaker's philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting local communities for more than 70 years. Working with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and across the Ford network in the U.S. and in 43 countries, Ford Fund provides resources and opportunities that advance racial equity and empower people to reach their highest potential. Since 1949, Ford and Ford Fund have invested more than $2.2 billion in initiatives that ensure basic needs are met, provide access to essential services, offer tools to build new skillsets, and open pathways to high-quality jobs. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto