Montgomery Symphony Association

Montgomery Symphony Association is proud to raise money during Alabama Gives Day for the Montgomery Music Project.

MMP provides high-quality, affordable music instruction to children in Montgomery and the surrounding River Region. MMP sends first-rate teachers to elementary schools offering onsite music instruction on the violin, viola, and cello. On Saturdays the students from all the schools meet together for further instruction. All students receive an instrument and necessary supplies as part of the program. Students taking private lessons are also eligible to attend on Saturdays. In this inaugural 2011 – 12 year, there are over 40 students participating in MMP.

The elementary school students receive enriching instruction three afternoons a week. The classes aim not only to teach the children technical skills required to play an instrument but about teamwork, communication, positive self-esteem, critical thinking, and decision-making in music and the rest of their lives. After one semester, MMP teachers have already noticed substantial improvement in many of the children’s ability to focus, work together, and process information.

MMP has a world-class string faculty. Peter Povey (MM, Yale School of Music) teaches violin, viola, and assists with curriculum development. Katerina Juraskova (DMA, McGill University) teaches nearly all of the cello classes. Other teachers include Robin Scott, violin (BM, Indiana University) and Laura Usiskin (MM, Juilliard School).

The three participating schools represent vastly different demographics, resulting in a very diverse enrollment. E.D. Nixon Elementary is a low-income public school nearly 100% African-American; Montgomery Academy is an elite private school 96% Caucasian; and Wilson Elementary is a low-to-middle income public school 36% African-American, 30% Caucasian, 21% Hispanic, and 13% Asian. MMP enables these otherwise disparate communities to come together through the arts, forging strong community ties.

MMP provides need-based scholarships to all eligible participants so that no child is denied access to music because of cost. These scholarships enable the children to receive the wonderful social, educational, and developmental benefits of music.Participating in MMP helps them cultivate life skills, friendships, and positive self-esteem in addition to a life-long love and appreciation for music.

MMP hopes to raise money for scholarships for the children through Alabama Gives Day. Thank you for supporting MMP!