ACM@UCO Teams Up with Chesapeake Energy Arena to Provide Scholarships to Students
ACM@UCO Teams Up with Chesapeake Energy Arena to Provide Scholarships to Students
April 17, 2017
Media Contact: Liz Johnson, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, ACM@UCO, 405-974-4711, ejohnson26@uco.edu
ACM@UCO Teams Up with Chesapeake Energy Arena to Provide Scholarships to Students
The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) and SMG-managed Chesapeake Energy Arena have partnered to support scholarships for ACM@UCO students as a way of recognizing the touring artists that perform at the arena.
To kick off the new partnership, the Chesapeake Energy Arena will make donations to the ACM@UCO Artists Scholarship Endowment fund on behalf of Neil Diamond, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Joe Walsh. Each artist will perform at the arena this month. The donations will grow the endowment, providing scholarships to ACM@UCO students in perpetuity.
“As Oklahoma City’s largest musical venue, we are excited to provide donations on behalf of Neil Diamond, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Joe Walsh to support local music students at the ACM@UCO, helping develop the next generation of musical talent,” said Hugh Lombardi, general manager of the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
“Hopefully, one day soon, one of the scholarship recipients will be playing to sold out crowds at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, right here in OKC,” Lombardi said.
The Chesapeake Energy Arena opened its doors in 2002 and has been host to more than 1,200 events and more than 10 million fans. Home to the Oklahoma City Thunder (beginning with the 2008-09 NBA season), the arena is managed by SMG, which, since 1977, has provided management services to 233 public assembly facilities.
“The ACM@UCO is excited to receive support for our endowed scholarship fund from our neighbors at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in the names of some our favorite artists,” said Scott Booker, CEO and executive director of the ACM@UCO.
“Support like this shows the deep-rooted connection growing between the music industry and the growth of the next generation of not only artists, but the people who often work behind the scenes to bring amazing shows to our city. We cannot thank the Chesapeake Energy Arena enough for their generosity.”
The ACM@UCO is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and is unlike any other music program in the U.S., offering an industry-based, real world educational experience for those interested in a career in today’s music industry. Students can earn a two-year associate’s degree in music performance, music business or music production and continue on to the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Contemporary Music program.
For further information about the ACM@UCO, visit www.acm-uco.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO.
For further information about the Chesapeake Energy Arena, as well as a complete listing of upcoming events and performances, visit www.chesapeakearena.com.
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