Yerevan/Mediamax/. N6 music school in Gyumri which new building will be ready in summer 2013 will get impressive number of new music instruments from Canada.

The project of reconstruction of Gyumri N6 music school is implemented by Mediamax, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and Australian Do Something organization.

In January 2011, the owner of music store Millbank Music in Canada Tim Irving contacted Ian Gillan's manager Phil Banfield and said that he would like to provide music instruments to the Gyumri school. Tim noted that he has been the fan of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath since childhood and it will be honor for him to take part in WhoCares project implemented by Ian Gillan and Toni Iommi.

Digital piano in memory of Jon Lord.

Photo: Tim Irving.

Over 2 years, Tim Irving has collected musical instruments for the Gyumri school. He made considerable efforts for raising necessary funds. In 2012, he met with the management of Slash the guitarist signed his Gibson Les Paul guitar for the auction.

Signed guitar donated by Slash.

Photo: Tim Irving.

Upon Tim’s request, legendary Canadian folk musician Valdy also signed his guitar for the auction.

Besides, Tim Irving organized Battle of the Bands concert with participation of young Canadian groups which were inspired with the prospect of joining the project implemented for Armenia by legendary Ian Gillan and Toni Iommi. Shades of Sorrow group won Battle of the Bands.

Shades of Sorrow band.

Photo: Tim Irving.

As a result of all these efforts, Tim Irving managed to collect impressive number of instruments for Gyumri school: 24 Violins, 12 acoustic guitars, 12 Ukeleles, 4 Alto Saxophones, 4 trumpets, 2 Mandolins, 2 flutes, 3 hand drums, 1 Conga kit with stand, 3 Yamaha portable keyboards, 1 Yamaha 88 note digital piano, 4 Stands for above keyboards, 2 boxes violin strings, 2 boxes guitar tuners, 2 boxes guitar string, 1 piano tuning hammer, 100 guitar picks.

Instruments collected for Armenian music school.

Photo: Tim Irving.

The Fund for Armenian Relief will support the transportation of instruments to Armenia.

“I am amazed at what Tim Irving did for Armenian children. It's just unbelievable! The value of the project is that it unites people from all around the world. In summer 2012, learning about Ian Gillan's and Tony Iommi's efforts toward construction of the Gyumri school, Mardigian family from the U.S. decided to triple the raised funds which allowed starting the construction immediately. Learning about the project on the internet, Tim Irving in fact settled the issue of providing the school with instruments. I would like to once more thank him on the behalf of all the people involved in the project over past 4 years", said Mediamax Director Ara Tadevosyan.