New York, April 2, 2008. The ASCAP Foundation's Children Will Listen program, which is designed to introduce the American Musical Theatre to youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it, paired up with lyricist, composer, star, and ASCAP member Lin-Manuel Miranda of the Broadway hit, In the Heights , to expose students to the Broadway stage.

On March 26, 2008, The ASCAP Foundation took over 100 sixth-graders plus ten chaperones from P.S. 115, The Alexander Humboldt School in Washington Heights, to a matinee performance of Miranda's musical, In the Heights, which debuted on Broadway last month. Students were provided with CDs of the show's original cast recording, free transportation to and from the Richard Rodgers Theatre, free tickets, and for many, their very first opportunity to see a first class theatrical production. Immediately following the performance, the students participated in an interactive discussion of the show with Miranda and members of the cast.

"Lin-Manuel Miranda is such a wonderful role model for these children," said Marilyn Bergman, President of The ASCAP Foundation. " There is nothing more important to the future of the musical theatre than bringing students in to experience for themselves the music, singers, dancers, costumes and staging," she stated. "Every succeeding generation of creators and audiences bring a fresh new perspective to the American musical and we are proud to be doing our part. We hope that through programs like The ASCAP Foundation's Children Will Listen we will be able to inspire young music creators who some day might just be the next Lin-Manuel Miranda."

Prior to the performance, Miranda met with the students at their school in Washington Heights on March 25 th to discuss the play, his creative process and to help the students in connecting themes and issues to their own lives. Miranda grew up in the vibrant and diverse Washington Heights/Inwood neighborhood, and his background in a close-knit Puerto Rican family has inspired his work as a writer, composer and performer. As a follow-up to the performance, Miranda returned to P.S. 115 on April 1 st to engage the students on their thoughts about the musical and their experience.

The ASCAP Foundation honored Miranda in December 2007 with the Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, which recognizes emerging musical theatre talent .

This program is made possible by a grant from The ASCAP Foundation's Children Will Listen Stephen Sondheim fund. The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program was established - in honor of ASCAP member and Musical Theatre great Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Gypsy!, Pacific Overtures, A Little Night Music) -- in 2005 to bring the musical theatre experience to young students nationwide. The program was named for one of the songs from his musical, Into the Woods.

About The ASCAP Foundation:
Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org



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April O. Turner
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