GRAND RAPIDS -- Local fans of Amy Grant and Vince Gill will have the opportunity to support music and art education at Grand Rapids Public Schools when the duo comes to town this month.
The Grammy-winning husband-and-wife team will perform a Christmas concert Dec. 18 in Van Andel Arena. Prior to the show, a limited number of VIP ticket-holders will be able to see the stars up close in a pre-show performance featuring area students.
A portion of the VIP ticket price will be donated to Grand Rapids Public Schools Arts Advocates, a nonprofit organization that helps fund arts and music programs at the city's schools.
The group's treasurer, John Hartel, said Grant and Gill are making similar charitable donations at each of the tour's 15 stops this holiday season.
"At all of their tour locations, these artists have said they want to give some portion of the money back to a local arts entity," Hartel said. "It's a pleasant surprise, that's for sure."
About 250 $180 VIP tickets will be available for the 5 p.m. preshow. Hartel said ticket-holders will see performances by City High School's Concert Band and Jazz Band, and food and drinks will be available.
A performance and a meet-and-greet with the stars also is expected before the main concert begins at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets to the VIP pre-show include admission to the main concert).
Grant and Gill, touring with a 12-piece band, both have best-selling Christmas albums under their belts. In September, Grant released her fourth holiday recording, "The Christmas Collection," which includes songs from earlier Christmas releases plus four new tracks.
The duo's VIP concert donation will help the GRPS Arts Advocates "significantly," Hartel said. The nonprofit's annual Arts Jam -- a benefit concert and auction -- typically raises $15,000 to $20,000 for GRPS students.
Arts Advocates uses the money to help fund students' private music lessons, summer arts camp costs and instrument payments.
It also gives music and art teachers money for extra supplies not covered by a school's budget.
Hartel said proceeds from the VIP show could end up doubling the Arts Advocates' available funds for the year.
"That would really be great -- we'd have some extra money for teachers, we could put a few more kids in summer camps -- there's no shortage of need," Hartel said.
"I think everyone needs a creative outlet, and we need to expose kids to the arts so they know what's out there. We want to make sure the kids don't lose that."
Christian Music News Source
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