Josh Groban, Andra Day & Rhiannon Giddens Celebrated as 2024 Music Will Honorees

UPDATE (April 26): On Wednesday, April 24, Josh Groban, Andra Day and Rhiannon Giddens performed and accepted awards at Music Will’s 16th annual benefit at Los Angeles’ Novo.

Day performed Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” and her new single “Chasing,” while Josh Groban performed “Granted” and Simon & Garfunkel’s classic “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and Rhiannon Giddens sang Paul Simon’s solo work “American Tune” and “At the Purchaser’s Option.” In addition, Groban received the Impact Award; Day, the Spirit Award; and Giddens, the Ambassador Award.

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The event raised thousands of dollars towards furthering music education programs in public schools across the nation.

PREVIOUSLY (April 9): Award-winning artists Josh Groban, Andra Day and Rhiannon Giddens have been chosen as the 2024 honorees for the upcoming Music Will benefit. The nonprofit music education program for U.S. public schools, formerly known as Little Kids Rock, will present its 16th annual event on April 24 at The Novo in Los Angeles.

In a statement announcing the benefit, Music Will CEO Mike Wasserman said, “Music Will brings innovative and engaging programming, resources and instruments to a community of thousands of music teachers and more than 600,000 students across the country every year. We can’t wait to celebrate on April 24 with such generous and talented artists like Josh Groban, Andra Day and Rhiannon Giddens, as well as student bands from local Music Will partner schools. For one night, our community of educators, corporate sponsors, industry partners and everyone who believes in the power of music will come together for an amazing celebration of music. All proceeds will support Music Will’s programs for students and teachers across the country. Together, we’re changing lives through music.”

Five-time Grammy Award nominee and Emmy- and Tony-nominated actor Groban tells Billboard, “I deeply admire Music Will’s commitment to enacting meaningful, systemic change in music education by meeting kids where they are and prioritizing equity and tangible access in schools. Having had the privilege of working with Music Will and witnessing their dedication to enriching students’ lives firsthand only reinforces my admiration for their impactful work.”

“Music Will’s commitment to changing the landscape of music education and expanding access to underserved communities is truly inspiring,” adds fellow singer-songwriter Day in comments shared with Billboard. “I believe in the transformative power of music, and I’m excited to collaborate with Music Will to bring that power to even more students.”

Grammy winner Day is also an Academy Award-nominated actress. Giddens, a MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, has won two Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize for her work as a singer, instrumentalist and composer. She, Day and Groban join a circle of prior Music Will honorees that includes Babyface, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Joan Jett, Steven Van Zandt, Usher and Wiz Khalifa. Music Will was founded by Dave Wish in 2002.

Michael Bearden (Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston) will serve as music director for Music Will’s upcoming benefit, which is being presented by the Hot Topic Foundation and produced by MBM Entertainment. Additional information about tickets is available on the Music Will website.

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