Armenian-American musician Serj Tankian is to help fundraise for the rebuilding of the Gyumri Octet music school.
Serj follows rock musicians Ian Gillan (formerly of Deep Purple) and Tony Iommi (formerly of Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell), who have pledged their support for the rebuilding of the school, and already held two concerts in Armenia earlier this year, with proceeds designated to that.
The Octet music school was completely destroyed during the earthquake of 1988. Even today, nore than 20 years after the earthquake, students have to study in temporary aluminum shelters.
Serj has spoken about the fundraising possibility of collaborating on joint recordings with Tony Iommi for itunes, but nothing definite has been decided. Serj has said he is committed to finding the most creative and productive form of assisting the school and its students.
Octet Music School rehabilitation efforts are jointly implemented by Mediamax, the Australian non-profit organization "Do Something," and the Fund for Armenian Relief. Of the $250,000 needed to rebuild the school, $72,000 has already been raised. Forty-five thousand of this came from proceeds from Ian Gillan's two concerts that were held in Yerevan. The Armenian government has allocated the remaining $27,000.