12/15/2025
Citizens Announces Return of Sounds of Giving, Donating Musical Instruments to Empower Pittsburgh Youth
PITTSBURGH, PA – Five musical programs in Pittsburgh area schools had their instrument wish-lists fulfilled today, thanks to the second year of Citizens Sounds of Giving initiative. This $50,000 investment aims to fulfill local music program wish lists and provide students with the opportunity to explore, nurture, and develop their musical talents. The initiative underscores Citizens' commitment to supporting the next generation of artists who will power Pittsburgh’s creative economy.
“Citizens remains committed to creating opportunities that inspire and uplift the next generation of artists and using the power of music to transform lives,” said Mark Rendulic, Pittsburgh Market President at Citizens. “With our second year of Sounds of Giving, we continue to see the joy that music can bring as it fosters creativity and brings people together."
The initiative kicked off at Sto Rox Upper Elementary School where Citizens leadership presented the new instruments to enhance the school’s music program, benefiting more than 30 students. Throughout the week, Instruments will be delivered to 4 additional schools in the Pittsburgh area, including South Side slopes/Arlington, Hill District, Sheraden (West End) and Homewood. From flutes to French horns and drum sets to bells, each donation was customized to the unique needs of the music programs, ensuring students have the tools and instruments they need to thrive.
“We are deeply grateful to Citizens for their continued commitment to Pittsburgh Public Schools through the Sounds of Giving program,” said Dr. Wayne N. Walters, Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. “This generous donation of brand-new instruments to three schools will enrich the learning experiences of hundreds of students. Partnerships like this help fuel creativity, build confidence, and ensure our young people have access to the tools they need to shine.”
Citizens’ Sounds of Giving is an extension of the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts as a catalyst for community pride and economic growth. Since 2022, Citizens has partnered with and invested in prominent Pittsburgh arts organizations including being the name-in-title sponsor of Citizens Live at the Wylie and Roxian Theatre presented by Citizens. As well as sponsoring the Andy Warhol Museum’s Warhol Academy and Sound Series, the City of Pittsburgh Summer Concert Series, August Wilson Center’s Community Days, and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. By staying committed to expanding access to music education, Citizens is helping to cultivate the city’s next generation of artists and ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to experience the power and joy of music.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.7 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.
