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Bethesda man named finalist for ‘CNN Hero Of The Year’

By WTOP Staff

A Bethesda composer and pianist who founded a group that teaches music to wounded warriors is one of 10 finalists for CNN’s “Hero of the Year” award.

Arthur Bloom started MusiCorps after he met with a veteran at Walter Reed Medical Center who lost his leg in a roadside bomb explosion. The man was concerned he would never be able to play the drums again.

From there, Bloom began a program that matches up recovering veterans at Walter Reed with music lessons, specialized equipment and chances to play with others as part of their rehabilitation.

Bloom will get a $25,000 grant from CNN. If he’s voted “Hero of the Year,” he’ll get another $100,000. Votes can be made once a day, every day.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 in New York in a show hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Video via CNN/YouTube

Arthur Bloom (left) watches as a wounded warrior at Walter Reed rehearses on the piano (via MusiCorps)

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