My Nonprofit Reviews
Jcaruche
Review for Education Through Music, Inc., New York, NY, USA
While working as the education director for the Stamford Symphony Orchestra we were fortunate enough to gain two major funding opportunities. When tasked with developing a curriculum incorporated program for the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford and a district-wide student concert for the Stamford Public School district, I turned to Education Through Music. Through their incredible expertise we were able to create the following two programs and it was only through their dedication and hard work that these they were as successful as they have been for the past 4 years:
1. Boys and Girls Club: Created an interactive 10 week after-school music appreciation program following the CT Standards for Social Studies for grades 1 through 3. Developed teaching materials,trained musicians to teach the curriculum and manage the classroom, as well as provided an overview for the counselors at the center. Over the past four years this program has served over 500 under-priviledged students in the city of Stamford and provided them with a level of music instruction unmatched in the public school system.
2. 4th and 5th grade distric-wide concert: ETM worked with the Stamford Symphony's music director and conductor to develop a comprehensive concert that brought to life the 4th and 5th grade social studies curriculum "American History". The American Experience takes students through the founding of a new nation through the first World War and utilizes music as a snap-shot of the culture of those times. Resource books and CD's were created for all elementary schools and professional development with music teachers from the district was conducted by ETM. Over the past four years close to 12,000 students in the Stamford Public schools have participated it the American Experience Concert
If it wasn't for the innovative thinking and enthusiasim of Education Through Music neither of these programs would have been possible. They are an extra-ordinary resource to arts programs,the city of Stamford and utlimately the students in our public schools.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching the Boys and Girls club students see musical instruments and learn about how they sound and work together in an orchestra was incredibly rewarding. The district wide concert was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Children listened and participated in a classical concert and you could actually see their self esteem rising. Many of them had never been to a live performance before in their lives
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find ways to get more funding for them and expand their programs. More hands on programs of this nature are needed in urban areas and my biggest complaint is that I couldn't expand these incredible programs into more grades within the school district
