Nissan celebrates the accomplishments of Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando musicians as program wraps first year

• Nissan is a proud supporter of the Nashville Symphony's education programming
• The symphony's Accelerando initiative, of which Nissan is a major partner, seeks to prepare promising young students of diverse ethnic backgrounds to pursue careers as professional orchestra musicians
• Nissan is committed to making the arts more accessible to youth of all backgrounds through the Nissan Neighbors charitable giving program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan North America will mark its partnership with the Nashville Symphony on June 12, as the inaugural class of the Nashville Symphony's Accelerando initiative performs its year-end recital at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Nissan is a lead partner in the Nashville Symphony's education and community engagement programming, with a focus on the Accelerando initiative in particular.

The spring recital marks the culmination of a year of intense instruction for the six students of diverse ethnic backgrounds who make up the program's first class. Accelerando launched in September 2016 after auditions yielded the program's first participants. Since then, the students have received regular private lessons from Nashville Symphony musicians, participated in local youth orchestras and attended Nashville Symphony Classical Series performances.

"Nissan is committed to the values of diversity and education, and Accelerando embodies both," said Rebecca Vest, Nissan vice president of Corporate Development and Social Responsibility. "We are pleased to partner with the Nashville Symphony to offer this valuable program."

Nissan's sponsorship of the Nashville Symphony is supported through its Nissan Neighbors charitable giving program, a community-focused initiative dedicated to improving communities through charitable contributions and in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations working in three focus areas: education, the environment and humanitarian aid.

"We are thrilled to welcome Nissan into the Nashville Symphony family and are grateful to have such a venerable corporate partner supporting the Accelerando initiative and all of our music education programming," said Alan D. Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO. "Nissan shares our belief that music education plays a vital role in shaping students' future success, and their collaboration will make it possible for our orchestra to engage and inspire thousands of young people throughout Middle Tennessee."

Accelerando students will continue to receive year-round instruction throughout the course of their participation, as well as guidance and assistance in applying for collegiate music programs once they reach high school.

During the spring recital, students will perform selections by Beethoven, Mozart and Poulenc, among others, and enjoy a private reception with their families and Accelerando faculty afterward.

Accelerando is one of more than 20 Nashville Symphony education and community engagement programs offered for free to the public, thanks in part to Nissan's corporate partnership. For more information, visit www.NashvilleSymphony.org/education. 

About the Nashville Symphony
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Nashville Symphony has earned an international reputation for its innovative programming and its commitment to performing, recording and commissioning works by America's leading composers. The Nashville Symphony has released 24 recordings on Naxos, which have received 15 GRAMMY® nominations and seven GRAMMY® Awards, making NSO one of the most active recording orchestras in the country. With more than 140 performances annually, the orchestra offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz, and children's concerts, while its extensive education and community engagement programs reach tens of thousands of children and adults each year. 

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.INFINITIUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and INFINITInews.com.

# # #

Contact

Darla Turner
Nissan Corporate Communications
(615) 725-5432
darla.turner@nissan-usa.com