Best Buy and the United Way to Launch After-School Music Programs.

Business Editors & Lifestyle Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2000

Five Communities Selected as First "Music Zones"

Best Buy Co., Inc. and the United Way of America are bringing after-school music programs to children in economically disadvantaged communities.

A total of $100,000 is being awarded to five United Way organizations across the country for projects that teach kids the connection between music and learning. The grants mark the beginning of Best Buy's new "Music Zone" initiative, which seeks to increase music education opportunities for kids in low-income areas. The United Ways in each community will work with local schools and other groups to manage the "Music Zones."

The first five "Music Zones" will have young people involved in a variety of projects: kids from the Central Falls School District in Providence, R.I. will explore different musical activities and performances; students from Franklin Middle School in Minneapolis, Minn. will study music creation and prepare for two public performances; Indianapolis, Ind. students will pursue a number of vocal and instrumental music styles; in High Point, N.C., the "Music Zone" grant will purchase percussive instruments for after-school study; and kids in Flint, Mich. will use their "Music Zone" to create and produce an opera.

National studies have shown that youth participating in music programs are twice as likely to win an award for school attendance and three times as likely to win an award for academic achievement when compared to children who are not involved in similar programs. Despite these statistics, many schools in economically-disadvantaged areas have had their budgets for music education greatly reduced or eliminated in recent years.

"Best Buy is dedicated to supporting innovative youth programs," said Best Buy Community Relations Manager Stephanie Woods. "As a major music retailer, Best Buy wanted to create a program that lets kids use music to build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Working with United Way makes perfect sense, since they are the experts in galvanizing community support for challenges that face youth."

"There are a lot of ways individuals, organizations, and corporations raise resources for United Way," said United Way of America President Betty Stanley Beene. "Best Buy's special gift will allow United Way communities to use an innovative approach to increase academic achievements for children in low-income areas. For Best Buy, this is yet another creative and exciting example of their leadership in the cause of caring."

The "Music Zone" is an extension of United Way's "Bridges to Success", a program that promotes the importance of community and educational partnerships by making social services available at schools. Best Buy and United Way both are "commitment makers" to America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, General Colin Powell's national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children.

United Way of America is the national service organization providing training, resources, and technical assistance to 1,400 member United Ways. Together they raised $3.58 billion in their 1998-99 campaigns, supporting more than 44,000 agencies delivering programs and services to millions of people during critical times of need.

Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is the nation's largest volume specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. The Company operates 361 retail locations in 40 states, and will soon launch its new e-commerce site at http://www.BestBuy.com.