Play It Forward Gala Strikes a Powerful Chord for Music Education in Washington
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Media Contact: Lee Keller
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Play It Forward Gala Strikes a Powerful Chord for Music Education in Washington
Over $250,000 raised to support underfunded school music programs statewide
Seattle, WA – May 2, 2025 – The 13th annual Play It Forward Gala, hosted by Music Aid Northwest, hit all the right notes Saturday night as music lovers, educators, students, and industry icons gathered for an unforgettable evening in celebration of music education. The event raised more than $250,000, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting underfunded school music programs across Washington state through Music Aid Northwest grants.
Student performances took center stage, literally and figuratively. The night kicked off with a fabulous performance by Mariachi del Pacifica, a student-led ensemble from Pacific Lutheran University specializing in traditional, uplifting Mexican music. Their sprinted performance set the tone for an evening that celebrated the unifying power of music.
They were followed by the soulful Decatur High School Jazztet, a standout ensemble from Federal Way whose passion for music runs deep. This Jazztet has achieved notable recognition, earning awards at events such as the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival and the Puget Sound Jazz Festival. Their love for music extends far beyond the classroom and their energy fueled the night’s strong sense of community.
Throughout the evening, attendees also heard heartfelt testimonies from educators and students across the state, sharing how Music Aid Northwest grants have transformed school music programs, empowering students and changing lives.
This year’s Washington Music Icon Award was presented to legendary musician and producer Quincy Delight Jones Jr. His remarkable career, spanning decades of influence, began as a student at Garfield High School. His legacy and dedication to music education spanned decades. Accepting the award on his behalf were his sister Theresa Frank, great niece Taryn Frank-Looney and great nephew Brett Frank-Looney.
To close out the night, Heart by Heart, featuring original Heart members and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier, delivered a nostalgic set of rock classics that brought the crowd to its feet.
The night was a soaring success, celebrating student talent, honoring musical legacy, and uniting a passionate community behind one goal: keeping music alive in Washington schools. These grants are more than just funding; they open doors, create lifelong memories, and change lives. Thanks to this incredible community, the beat goes on for Washington’s young musicians.
Special thanks to PNC Bank for being our presenting sponsor and helping make this unforgettable evening possible.
Learn more: MusicAidNorthwest.org
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Access photos and videos from Play It Forward 2025 here.
For media inquiries or interview requests, contact Lee Keller ([email protected]) and Danielle Mercure ([email protected]).
About Music Aid Northwest
Music Aid Northwest (MANW) is a nonprofit organization that funds the needs of music classrooms across Washington state. From French horns to marimbas, from ukuleles to xylophones, MANW has distributed over 1.78 million dollars to hundreds of underfunded music classrooms to cover these and other needs as requested by the music teachers themselves.
