According to Public Radio Of Armenia, the Armenian Government decided today to allocate $10 AMD to contribute to the reconstruction of Gyumri’s Octet music school #6 after Azat Shirinyan.

The reconstruction works implemented under Rock Aid Armenia/Armenia Grateful 2 Rock project are nearing completion. The school will be opened in September and the opening ceremony will feature DEEP PURPLE frontman Ian Gillan.

BLACK SABBATH guitar legend Tony Iommi recently updated his official Facebook page with photos of Canadian instruments being donated to the Octet Music School in Gyumri, Armenia including keyboard in memory of late Deep Purple keyboardist JON LORD as seen below:

Says Iommi: "A big thank you to Tim and the team at Millbank Music in Canada for the huge pile of instruments now on their way to Armenia. With support like this the project was always going to be successful, when the school opens this summer they'll be off to a great start!"

Check out a photo gallery of the instruments being donated here.

The story started 24 years ago. A few months after the devastating Spitak earthquake that killed 25 thousand Armenians and left hundreds of thousands homeless, 24 year old Jon Dee organized the Rock Aid Armenia project in London. British rock stars recorded a top 40 cover version of Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water' and helped to release the special Earthquake Album. Revenue from the single and album sales was contributed as aid to Armenia and to rebuild the Octet Music School.

In 2010, Ian Gillan and Tony Iommi set up the WhoCares ad-hoc super-group to raise funds for the Octet school. In May 2011, Edel Music released the first single by WhoCares with 2 brand new songs – 'Out of My Mind' and 'Holy Water'. In July 2012, Edel Music released the WhoCares album that comprises the two songs from the single and unreleased and rare material from Gillan and Iommi’s back catalogue.

The dream of having a new Octet Music School is now very close to becoming a reality. Ian Gillan once called the Octet school a “great symbol”. This cause is a great combination of Philanthropy and Art that are coming together to support these talented young children.

“I am very pleased and honoured to be involved in this very special cause; it is dear to my heart. I can't wait for the music to start," said Ian Gillan.