FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:        Antonio Terry
(501) 779-4980
tsupushup@gmail.com

SPRING CHARITY GALA AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND SPRINGHOUSE

Proceeds to benefit Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands

Nashville, Tennessee, March 22, 2010

The Tennessee State Collective Alumni is sponsoring the First Annual Spring Charity Gala at Gaylord Opryland Springhouse on Saturday, April 24, 2010. This semiformal event will include a formal dinner, honor the Aristocrat of Bands head Professor Graves and detail the Collective Alumni fundraising initiative. Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM. Live soft music presented by the TSU Jazz Ensemble. Complimentary parking. Proceeds from the Spring Charity Gala will benefit the world renowned Aristocrat of Bands of Tennessee State University.

The First Annual Spring Charity Gala is the opening salvo in a sustained effort by the Tennessee State University Collective Alumni to support the alma mater through giving. This effort seeks to raise one million dollars to establish a scholarship endowment in the TSU Foundation to support the first band in the United States to march and play simultaneously, the first historically black college or university band to perform on television, a band that played for President John F. Kennedy and at both inaugurations of President Bill Clinton.

Due to the increasing closure of high school band programs across the United States, it has become increasingly difficult for the Aristocrat of Bands to garner the number of musicians necessary to maintain their sterling standard. The Aristocrat of Bands not only serves the university, it serves the Nashville community including playing for the Christmas parade annually, the Tennessee Titans and others.

If you are unable to attend this event and you are able, please send a small donation to the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands at 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard, Box 9531, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-1561. Further information can be found at www.SpringGalaNashville.com.

The Tennessee State Collective Alumni is committed to giving back to historically black universities and the African American community through targeted fundraising and donor campaigns. Our innovative and quality programs will set the standard and serve as templates for raising the necessary funds to continue and increase vital institutions within historically black universities that continue to serve their surrounding communities.

Additional Contact:        Darryl McClain
(615) 541-9243
darryl.grant.mcclain@gmail.com