Music Scholarship to be awarded in June in Memory of Westchester County, NY Teen Justin Veatch
CD of teen's work will be released posthumously this summer
Yorktown Heights, NY (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 29, 2009 -- The family of Justin Veatch, who tragically died in his sleep as a result of an accidental drug overdose at age 17 in September 2008, will be awarding its first music scholarship in their son's name, at Senior Awards Night at Yorktown High School, Wednesday, June 3, 2009. The music scholarship is part of The Justin Veatch Fund's mission to foster support for young emerging artists and further the musical talents of students.
Justin was a singer/songwriter/musician known for his exceptional musical gifts which continue to attract fans on the internet and through downloads on iTunes. His family is releasing Justin's first CD later this summer at the request of thousands of fans from across the globe who contacted his parents and friends after hearing his music on MySpace, where they maintain Justin's music page.
Justin's download singles ''ESRT Page 14'' and ''Whispering Spirits'' have sold on iTunes throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. Along with sales of songs, more significantly, the community has supported the Fund. According to Jeffrey Veatch, Justin's father, "The Yorktown High School Student Senate donated money, and several of Justin's friends who formed the band 'City of Molotov' gave us a generous donation. Others are buying Fund tee shirts and writing checks. We are honored by the extraordinary thoughtfulness of Justin's peers, and overwhelmed by the love and respect that Justin had during his short life."
Mr. Veatch explains, "This first 2009 scholarship is $1,000 and a very significant step for us. We aim to increase that amount substantially in the next year and provide money that will help fill some of the gaps created by cuts in budgets for the arts. The Fund's board of directors determined that candidates for the first scholarship would be chosen among members of Justin's graduating class at Yorktown. Next year we hope to expand on the county or state level."
Sales of the CD ''Permagrin: The Music of Justin Veatch'' (An Ivoryton Piano Factory Production, available this summer at www.thejustinveatchfund.org and through major outlets) will raise additional funds for future music scholarships. ''Permagrin'' -- a title chosen by Justin when he dreamed of his first CD -- will include six of his originally recorded songs.
In addition, the CD will have covers of his music by: Chicago's "Owen," members of Toronto's ''Boys Night Out,'' New York's ''Moving Mountains,'' ''The Bensen-Scott Big Band,'' Brazilian jazz artist ''Vinicius Cantuaria,'' Orlando's ''Breathing Chemistry,'' and Dallas' ''Caterpillars.'' Also included is ''Justin's Song,'' a tribute written and recorded by singer/songwriter Anthony Melillo, one of Justin's classmates. "It's a collaboration of the well-established alongside young, emerging talents -- an eclectic combination that represents what Justin was truly about," his dad said.
The Justin Veatch Fund is a non-profit 501c3 organization set up in 2009 by Justin's family. The Fund supports music education and awards scholarships to high school graduating students pursuing study in the field of music, to honor Justin's legacy. More info at: www.thejustinveatchfund.org and www.myspace.com/theivorytonpianofactory.
About Justin (January 5, 1991 to September 8, 2008): Justin Veatch demonstrated his talent for music at an early age, taking formal piano lessons at five. The grand piano became his anchor and led him to other instruments like the trumpet, guitar, synthesizer, drums and other percussion instruments like the glockenspiel. As Justin's music became more complex he began to work in a professional studio environment at age 12 and quickly demonstrated his ability to transform a concept of a song into a finished work. Later, in his basement studio he began combining analog and virtual sounds into songs he performed entirely by himself. The name of his project band, The Ivoryton Piano Factory (now the name of the family publishing company), was inspired by road trips north from New York City through Ivoryton, CT where he frequently passed an old piano factory that had long since been abandoned.
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, Rodicompany(at)earthlink.net
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