Prior to his passing, the late Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen left an incredibly generous donation for that of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is a music organization that works to bring music education into schools throughout the United States.
Yesterday it was shared, via The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, that the late Eddie Van Halen had left a “substantial” and “transformative” donation to the organization. Per the release posted by The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation:
“Today [April 20th, 2022], the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF), which supports music education in at-risk public schools, announced it recently received a bequest from the late rock guitarist and innovator Eddie Van Halen. As U.S. schools are experiencing a greater need than ever before, this transformative donation will be significant in increasing the nonprofit’s capacity to support music programs across the country.
“Before his passing in October 2020, Eddie Van Halen spent over a decade nurturing a close relationship with MHOF and his passion for the nonprofit’s mission to help students develop a love of music led him to leave a meaningful percentage of his estate to the organization in his will. The donation will enable MHOF to fulfill requests from a greater number of schools, add employees to its staff, improve the foundation’s technology and more.”
The post continues with Felice Mancini, President and CEO of MHOF, speaking to the donation and Eddie Van Halen’s involvement with the organization:
“Eddie’s support and friendship over the years meant the world to us and to his fans. His passion for music and our work created a strong bond, which is evident in his extraordinary bequest. To know how much our foundation meant to Eddie is intensely humbling and gratifying to all of us – and we know that Eddie’s family is confident that his powerful legacy and values live on through our efforts.”
The post then concludes with the following:
“In addition to Eddie’s bequest, his son Wolfgang Van Halen aims to carry on his father’s partnership, and legacy, with MHOF. Wolfgang donated the proceeds of his hit release ‘Distance’ to MHOF in support of school music programs across the nation and as a dedication to his late father.
‘Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and the work they do for music education was always something that was important to my father,’ said Wolfgang Van Halen. ‘I am incredibly proud to help facilitate this donation as he wished. Mr. Holland’s Opus are champions for our musicians of the future and it is my privilege to continue supporting that mission and carrying on my pop’s legacy.'”
This is an incredibly gracious gesture from the late Eddie Van Halen – a remarkable musician with a wonderful heart. It is also awesome to see his son carry on his father’s legacy and help to promote music education.
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Words by: Michael Pementel
