Widespread Panic's Tunes For Tots, a charitable organization founded by one of Athens' own rock bands, Widespread Panic, has awarded the Clarke County School District $75,000 to further music education for students. Widespread Panic's Tunes for Tots began in 2005, and to date, has raised over $3 million (Hear the band tell the tale of Tunes for Tots.) This donation follows a previous gift of $25,000 that CCSD received in the 2020-21 school year from the foundation.

The donation will be divided among all elementary and secondary music education programs across the district. “We know music can be a basis for student success, both musically and academically,” said Dr. William Fry, consultant for Widespread Panic’s Tunes for Tots. “But most importantly, music creates smiles and thus the perfect motivation to continue our work.” CCSD has a strong commitment to music programs for all students and has been honored for 10 consecutive years with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from

The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. "Music is an important component of educating the whole child by inspiring and igniting creative expression inside and outside the classroom," said Dan Smith, CCSD’s Fine Arts, Health, and PE Curriculum Coordinator. "This generous gift from Widespread Panic’s Tunes for Tots will allow our music programs to update equipment and instrument inventories.”