A first-of-its-kind national organization, the GRAMMY Music Education Coalition (GMEC) was announced today, formed with the goal of increasing the number of youth actively participating in music making in U.S. public schools. This nonprofit collective consisting of more than 30 of the nation’s most forward-thinking music education organizations, including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants), VH1 Save The Music Foundation, and Lang Lang Foundation International Music Foundation, among others, is collaborating with communities for systems change through youth-centered music education that supports teachers and fosters opportunity for students to create, play and perform music together. As a first step in offering music content on a national scale, GMEC has teamed up with Disney•Pixar’s Coco to bring best-in-class music from the film and learning content to teachers and youth.
In theaters November 22nd, Coco tells the story of 12-year-old Miguel, a self-taught guitarist who dreams of becoming a great musician. With support from The Walt Disney Studios and inspired by the film’s themes, GMEC is working with Berklee College of Music to provide new educational materials within Berklee PULSE, an online music education resource for students and educators.
“Coco is rooted in music,” said Adrian Molina, co-director, screenwriter and a songwriter for the film. “The film features traditional Mexican music and original songs—‘Remember Me’ [written by Academy Award®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez] and ‘Un Poco Loco’ [written by Molina and Germaine Franco] will be featured in the program, along with Mexican folk songs. We believe in GMEC and its mission and are honored to work with this organization.”
To inspire students to follow their musical dreams, Disney•Pixar’s Coco team will donate 300 Cordoba guitars to GMEC partners and Guitar Center, the world’s largest retailer of musical instruments and various musician-based in-house services, including Lessons, will donate an additional 300 Cordoba guitars with all 600 slated for delivery before the end of the year.
For more information on the GMEC or to join the movement, please visit https://grammymusiced.org/coco