Professional musical instruments from Fender Musical Instruments Corporation – 4 acoustic guitars of Japanese Takamine Company and Blackhawk drum kit of American Gretsch Drums Company were delivered to Yerevan. The musicians also gifted Paiste сymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks, provided by John Henrys Ltd. Company.
On October 1, 2009, Ian Gillan and Toni Iommi visited N6 music school in Gyumri in the framework of Armenia Grateful 2 Rock project, implemented by Mediamax and Australian Do Something organization. Harutyun Asatryan, director of the school, which was destroyed during 1988 earthquake and is still hosted in temporary shelters, said in a talk with the rock stars that the pupils would very much like to have good guitars and a drum kit.
“We express profound gratitude to these great musicians for their attention towards Armenian children, who study music in poor conditions. Almost 5 months have passed since Gillan and Iommi’s visit to Armenia, but this gift is the evidence of their sincere wish to help the Armenian school. I also want to thank the musicians’ executive producers Ralph Baker and Phil Banfield, who directly dealt with acquisition of the instruments,” Mediamax Director Ara Tadevosyan stated.
Ian Gillan’s concerts with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia will take place on March 26 and 27. The proceeds from them will be directed at rebuilding of N6 musical school in Gyumri.
“This is another evidence that these outstanding musicians are friends of Armenia,” Mr. Tadevosyan stated.
He also expressed gratitude to Deputy Head of the Armenian President’s Staff Vigen Sargsyan for assistance, rendered in transportation of the musical instruments to Yerevan. Ian Gillan and Tony Iommi’s gift was conveyed by the aircraft of Armenian President, who visited London last week. “This is very symbolic, since Rock Aid Armenia/Armenia Grateful 2 Rock takes place under the patronage of the President,” Mr. Tadevosyan emphasized.
The musical instruments are supposed to be handed over to the school administration in March, during Ian Gillan’s visit to Yerevan.
VivaCell-MTS is the general sponsor of Ian Gillan’s concerts due on March 26 and 27 in Yerevan. bmi Airlines is the partner of the concerts.
