2007 Press Release

Ambassador McCulley Presents 20 Guitars to Malian National Institute of the Arts

February 22, 2007

On February 22, 2007, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the US Ambassador to Mali, H.E. Terence McCulley presented twenty acoustic guitars to the music section of the National Institute of Arts in Mali.  The donation of these guitars, valued at CFA 2, 500, 000 was owed to the initiative of American jazz musician Steven Bloom and made possible by The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program, The United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Cultural Programs Division and Jazz at Lincoln Center. 

This donation is a follow up to the very successful music workshop conducted by American jazz musicians Steve Bloom and Miriam Sullivan in Mali in October 2006, as part of the American Music Abroad (AMA) program.  Along with the guitars, INA received a book/CD for beginning students, 40 sets of strings, 20 Tuner/Metronomes, and guitar picks.

In his comments to the students and faculty of INA, Ambassador McCulley stated, “I have noticed with joy that Americans who visit Mali always leave with a bit of Malian music in their heart and in their soul.  As a result, even after they leave, many Americans undertake initiatives to give back to the Malian society that they love.  Such was the case of Steve, who upon returning to the United States, worked diligently to find a way to purchase and send 20 guitars to the INA as a lasting symbol of his friendship, admiration, and support for the students in the music department.”