Downtown Silver Spring's 3rd Annual 'Re-Imagining the Holidays' to Focus on Music Education in Local Schools

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Downtown Silver Spring announces the return of its award-winning 'Re-Imagining the Holidays' public art installation, this year featuring artist Karl Unnasch's 35-foot tree made of recycled musical instruments. The tree, which was unveiled to the public during an event on Saturday, November 15^th, aims to grow support of music programs in local schools. To support this initiative, Downtown Silver Spring has partnered with Hungry for Music, a nonprofit that facilitates the donation of musical instruments to local schools. 

'Re-Imagining the Holidays' is a nontraditional campaign that aims to direct public attention to the altruistic spirit of the holidays and celebrates public art in an urban setting. For the first time, the community will be able to interact with and 'play' Downtown Silver Spring's holiday art installation, named Silver Symphony. Additionally, Downtown Silver Spring will launch a new weekly event series, "Deck out Downtown," with live musical performances by local student groups on Saturdays throughout the holiday season.

"This year, I was inspired by holiday music that we played on records growing up and wanted to create something that tapped into the nostalgia of big band holiday music," remarks artist Karl Unnasch. Adding, "While the slightest breeze will activate the instruments, a series of buttons will allow guests to 'play' the tree, tapping into the kids at heart among us."

There are receptacles on the property for musical instrument donations by the community throughout the holiday season. Donated instruments will be distributed to local school music departments via Hungry for Music.

"At Hungry for Music, our most important service is putting musical instruments into hungry hands. Music has the ability to heal, it soothes tension and has the ability to transform sadness and aggression to hope and creativity," says Jeff Campbell, Hungry for Music.

Silver Symphony will be on display for approximately ten weeks on the fountain plaza. Downtown Silver Spring's 2013 award-winning, non-traditional toy tree, Playtime Jubilee, gave back to non-profit A Wider Circle, and attracted national attention with an appearance on the TODAY Show.

About Downtown Silver Spring:

Downtown Silver Spring is a 440,000 square foot shopping, dining, and entertainment destination located in the heart of downtown Silver Spring spanning from Ellsworth Drive to Fenton Street in Silver Spring, MD. Downtown Silver Spring has an eclectic mix of specialty retailers, exciting restaurants and amenities that include Whole Foods Market, Regal Majestic Theaters, H&M, a mosaic interactive fountain with outdoor cafes provides a neighborhood gathering spot for outdoor events. Downtown Silver Spring is owned by The Peterson Companies, Foulger-Pratt and ARGO Investment Company; it is managed and leased by The Peterson Companies. For more information, visit www.downtownsilverspring.com. Or follow Downtown Silver Spring on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates.

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SOURCE Downtown Silver Spring