Former Guns N’ Roses drummer partners with PSUSD on music education

When Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Tony Signoret was in college during the ’80s in Los Angeles, he saw Guns N’ Roses perform a concert before the iconic rock band signed a record contract. He was surprised last year during a cabinet meeting when he came across a proposal by the band’s former drummer Matt Sorum.

Signoret said he was “thrilled” when he saw that proposal from Sorum’s music education nonprofit, Adopt the Arts, which is going into effect in four of the district’s elementary schools during the 2024-25 school year with plans to expand the program to two more during the second semester. Funding is being provided entirely by Adopt the Arts and will not cost the district any money.

On Monday, GoodNoise studio in Palm Springs, which is owned by Sorum and musician Jason Mendelson, hosted an open house to celebrate the launch of the program.

“There’s enough funding now that ensures the arts are not cut from budgets, even as we’re coming into tighter fiscal times over the next couple of years,” Signoret said. “There’s a lot of state support for that, and we’re blessed our school board has always prioritized the visual and performing arts. That’s been a big priority for us over many years. It’s not just about donating and bringing in instruments, it’s providing mentorship from professional musicians.”

Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum at his Good Noise Studio in Palm Springs.
The curriculum includes expanded music education fundamentals and lessons, but it also places an emphasis on cultural understanding, creativity and expression, emotional and social development, integration with other school subjects, and body awareness and movement.

“(Students) can go home to their parents and say ‘I learned about Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 and the rhythms of Brazil,” Sorum said. “Culturally, they’re going to learn the mathematics and the connection of playing music together. And then not only that, but mindfulness. When I feel anxiety, I get on the drums and it makes me feel better.”

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