MUSIC FOR MINORS INC
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In the fall of 1999, I received fantastic training from Music for Minors that has allowed me to share my love of music with over 1000 young students in the last ten years. The information I received, the resources I have had available, and the support for my efforts in teaching music under the sponsorship of Music for Minors has been invaluable. Without this, the school at which I volunteer would not have a music program for the younger students (K-3).
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the reactions of the students, teachers and parents over the course of 10+ years. The first students I taught are now in college, and I bet they remember!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not know what to suggest. The organization seems to work pretty well as it is.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the feeling of complete support for my efforts, and the absolute dedication of the staff and all the other volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
women and men very dedicated to this activity. Kind and generous people, knowledgable about music.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
pay for advertising, and also pay to expand this activity beyond the local area. It could pay its own trainer (not having to rely on junior college fees and rules) in order to conduct the training.
Ways to make it better...
there were even more people like me to bring music to my school. Sometimes I have to teach more than one grade level at a time, which I would prefer not to do. I hope MFM will find a way to get the word out better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
publicity and other ways to recruit potential docents.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this is one of the best things I've done in my life. Although it is a tiring day, teaching music to 80 students (4 classes) really feels GREAT.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I've been a docent for 7 years, providing 1/2 hour music classes to two local 2nd grade classrooms. Music for Minors trains its docents (the training is thorough and brilliant), develops the relationships with the schools, and provides ongoing support. All you have to do is prepare your lessons and show up to give them. MFM offers docents free workshops throughout the year so they can continue to build their repertoire and skills. I can't speak highly enough about MFM. It provides a critical need for our children. Arts are basic!
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help our children become better students (and people) by providing music education in all public elementary schools in California. How tragic that budget cuts and testing requirements have obliterated music programs.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
For ten years I have been teaching in the MFM music program which reaches into classrooms that have no specific music program in their curriculum. Music for Minors prepares their teachers with a college course in the basics of music, then supplies them with a library of materials to use in the classroom. Each week we go into the classrooms and provide the students with singing, movement and rhythm instruments. There are always on-going programs to give MFM teachers new materials and ideas to enhance their programs. The quality and generous spirit that you find in MFM teachers is truly an inspiration. We are there to share music to all children. When a school decides to hire a music teacher, we then leave and know that our mission in music has been accomplished.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
going into classrooms full of children eager to sing and dance.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
like to make it known beyond the areas that it now serves.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the enthusiasm of the teachers as we meet for new ideas to make each class we teach the best it can be. We share songs and activities that have been successful and then we share them with the children.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very enthusiastic. We have met for new ideas so the classes we teach can share the experience that others have gained. I find very unselfish people in this group.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
train more teachers and move into classrooms all throughout the U.S. bringing the appreciation of good music to all children.
Ways to make it better...
I could have served more classrooms in the same school if their schedules could have been more flexible
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
recruiting more volunteer teachers who are willing to know about and share music. Once the recruits see the efficient way that MFM goes about putting each of them into classrooms, they will know the joy of bringing music to children.
One thing I'd also say is that...
music brings out the best in people. Music is such a basic need and MFM recognizes this and has tried to accomplish a monumental task in bringing music into our schools.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
MFM is an amazing organization that has allowed me to personally make a positive contribution to the lives of hundreds of young kids through music. I didn't learn of MFM until, at the age of 61, I was retired from a PHD level engineering job and self-employed by my own acoustical consulting company. As a youth I had played the trombone in numerous bands, and ever since my teenage years, I had been singing in choruses and choirs. Therefore, having the available time and the musical background, I was in a perfect position to take advantage of MFM's program. I took the amazing 14-week training course they provide through a local community college, and in late 1998, I walked into my first classroom, a third grade at a Title 1 (less affluent) school in San Jose. When I looked at the 33 faces staring at me, I noticed that nearly all of them had black hair (my hair was blonde at that age). I wondered if I would be able to establish a rapport with kids young enough to be my grandchildren and with kids from cultures somewhat different from mine. I needn't have worried. Music seems to easily overcome age and ethnic differences. I taught them songs I had learned in camp when I was that age. I taught them folk dances I had learned in graduate school. I taught them basic musical symbols and notation. I taught them rhythmic claps that we then used to reward classroom accomplishments. I brought in instrumentalist friends, who explained their instruments and often let the kids try to play them. We put on performances for the parents. The kids loved it, and so did I. For five additional years, I was a MFM docent at three different San Jose schools. Unlike many docents, I didn't have kids in a particular school, so I went wherever MFM needed me. As my confidence grew, I gradually increased the number of classes I taught. It was especially gratifying when, between classes, I would wander out on the playground at recess and see kids teaching other kids the songs and dances I had taught them. After I stopped teaching, I joined the board, and have been on it for the last three years.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
see above text
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the obvious affects it has on the kids who would not get the musical knowledge or exposure MFM provides
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
competent and committed
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide music to many more Title 1 schools than its current budget allows by 1) providing more docents for these schools or 2) by developing a training program for teachers who are interested in including music in their classrooms.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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