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UPMC Health Plan in Tune with MCG Third Grade Jazz

PITTSBURGH (April 9, 2007) — MCG Jazz, a division of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, announced today that it will present its annual series of Third Grade Jazz concerts for elementary schoolchildren, April 16-18, 2007. This three-day program (April 16-17 at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m., and April 18 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.) will be presented to approximately 2,500 students.

Third Grade Jazz is an interactive jazz education event, held at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and primarily serves Pittsburgh Public School third-grade students. Short performances by local jazz educators, with audience participation components and a child-focused structure, provide a unique and successful formula for a memorable and meaningful introductory jazz music experience.

This year’s program will also highlight “UPMC for Kids”, a new benefit package being launched by Third Grade Jazz sponsor, UPMC Health Plan. This marks UPMC Health Plan’s second consecutive year as a sponsor for the program. Marty Ashby, Executive Producer for MCG Jazz, explained how “the ongoing partnership UPMC Health Plan provides MCG Jazz with the opportunity to realize an important component of our core mission – to expose young people to the richness and positive nature of jazz music.”

 “UPMC Health Plan is proud to again sponsor Third Grade Jazz,” said Diane P. Holder, President of UPMC Health Plan. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to highlight our ‘UPMC for Kids’ program, which in conjunction with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of Pennsylvania provides state- and federally-funded health insurance to eligible uninsured children. Our association with Third Grade Jazz is a prime example of how educational outreach programs can work in unity to create valuable health opportunities for children and families.”

The Third Grade Jazz performance ensemble will include Pittsburgh jazz great Joe Negri (guitar), John Wilson (trumpet and flugelhorn), Mike Tomaro (woodwinds), Jay Ashby (trombone and percussion), Max Leake (piano), Paco Mahone (bass), and Roger Humphries (drums). All of these individuals are professional musicians and educators who have shared their talents with audiences all over the world and welcome the opportunity to perform for these students and share their love of jazz.

Costs of student transportation to Third Grade Jazz are being funded by the Henry C. Frick Educational Fund of the Buhl Foundation in dedication to the ongoing jazz education opportunities that MCG Jazz provides to the Pittsburgh Public School District.

Manchester Bidwell At A Glance:
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center are non-profit, multi-discipline, minority directed arts and training centers housed at 1815 Metropolitan Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side.  Both organizations share a dedication to helping disadvantaged residents of the Pittsburgh area by offering them exceptional quality educational and cultural opportunities.

UPMC Health Plan At A Glance:
UPMC Health Plan, the second-largest health insurer in Western Pennsylvania, is owned by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), one of the nation's top-ranked health systems. The integrated partner companies of the UPMC Insurance Services Division – which includes UPMC Health Plan, Work Partners, EAP Solutions, UPMC for You (Medical Assistance), and Community Care Behavioral Health – offer a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance, and workers' compensation products and services to nearly 1 million members. Our local provider network includes UPMC as well as community providers, totaling more than 80 hospitals and more than 7,000 physicians in a 28-county region.

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