Music in the Schools Foundation

 Music can change the world because it can change people.- Bono

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” –President Gerald Ford

Music in the Schools (MIS) provides  students in underserved communities with a rigorous program in music education, helping them thrive academically, socially and personally. You can help “level the playing field” for them, now and in the future. 

WHY MUSIC EDUCATION? 

Music rewires the brain, improving its internal networking and building capacities that are routinely deployed in memory and executive functions (planning, strategizing, and integrating social and emotional information). Music education also improves language processing, leading to improved critical listening, reading and comprehension. Music also provides a structure that helps children develop discipline, persistence, creativity and collaboration.

To pre-adolescent and adolescent youth, a sense of belonging and community is a critical need. For many students, particularly those without strong academic support at home, school can become a place that represents falling behind, failing – not fitting in.

Participation in an active music community provides structure, goals, common purpose, social ties, and leadership opportunities, all while fostering a positive self-image. When that community is school-based, it further provides the healthy, supportive environment for children who  struggle academically, or with challenging and stressful issues at home.

WHY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES? 

The vibrant, diverse communities we serve lack the economic resources to provide the holistic educational experience its children deserve.  Funding for the arts is the first to be cut and we want to fill that gap.

WHY MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION?

Music in the Schools was established in 1995, specifically to address the disappearance of music education in the Ravenswood elementary schools. Over the last two decades, Music in the Schools worked closely with the Ravenswood City School District Administration to maintain and build strong music programs in each of their schools.

Through generous donor funding, MIS provides high quality music instruction (general music, strings, chorus) for students pre-K-8, at six schools. Our dedicated and experienced teachers create classroom programs and individual instruction for students each week, affording them the opportunity to learn, appreciate, read, and create music through diverse programs in singing, dance, playing instruments, and music fundamentals.

MIS expanded in September 2021 to include KIPP Valiant and East Palo Alto Charter School and then in the fall of 2022, with general music for students at The Primary School in East Palo Alto and after school strings at Taft Elementary School in Redwood City. 

WHY DONATE? 

Transform the lives of children and their families! Nearby neighborhoods which are far more affluent, enjoy rich music programs for their children. The children in the Ravenswood District are just as gifted, but without us lack opportunity to discover their talents. Your donation goes directly to teach children in the classroom. YOU can make a difference!

Please help us reach our goal of $40,000 to keep our promise to our students and continue to provide the music programs we have in place. 

Thank you for your support!