Jupiter, FL 2/16/2012 – The Grace Notes Music Foundation raised $11,000 at its 1st Annual Carousel Concert-thon at Downtown at the Gardens on February 11, 2012. All proceeds from rides on the Carousel went to benefit the Grace Notes Music Foundation. Music students performed at Centre Court. Professional musicians also joined the lineup. Featured groups included Making Faces, Tom Floyd Jazz Quintet, the Fretmentor Bluegrass Group, Acoustic Soul, the Jupiter High School Jazz Ensemble, and Big Vince and the Phat Cats. Another highlight was the “street musicians” lining The Boulevard. Restaurants and shops offered promotions and donated items for raffles throughout the day. The Grace Notes Music Foundation was honored to receive a check for $5,000 from the Makayla Joy Sitton Foundation to be used for the Makayla Joy Sitton Music Scholarships. The need-based scholarships are overseen by the Grace Notes Music Foundation.

"It is so inspiring to see what goodness can come out of tragedy. Makayla's parents thought of other children in their grief and responded by directing funding into music scholarships. Now, we have grown into the Grace Notes Music Foundation and continue to expand our scholarships and music programming into our community." (Sandra Baran, Founder, Grace Notes Music Foundation)

Grace Notes Music Foundation, Inc. is a newly registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization administering the Makayla Joy Sitton Music Scholarships and providing 8 students with music lessons. The scholarships are the cornerstone on which the Foundation is built. As we grow, the Grace Notes Music Foundation’s mission is to provide exceptional music education and performance opportunities for students from diverse cultural, ethnic, racial and economic backgrounds and to sponsor community enriching music events.

For more information about the Carousel Concert-thon or to make a donation to the Grace Notes Music Foundation visit www.GraceNotesMusicFoundation.org or Email: GraceNotesMusicFoundation@gmail.com.