Give In-School Music Education to NYC Youth

The power of music education has been on full display this fall! From the classroom to the stage, we have been working hard to strengthen and celebrate our innovative music education programs. Thanks to our donors, partners, and educators, we are providing high-quality, comprehensive music education to over 18,000 underserved students at 50 under-resourced NYC schools this year.

To begin the 2023-24 school year, new and returning teachers gathered at ETM Academy, our premier two-week professional development series to deliver excellence and inclusivity in the music classroom. This year, we focused on the theme of “Building the Dynamic Classroom,” and our talented Programs staff and returning ETM teachers led a series of engaging workshops on classroom management, curriculum development, social-emotional learning, music technology, and more. Guest facilitators also led immersive sessions on restorative justice, strategies for teaching students with special needs, resources for teaching opera and popular music, and authentic songs from Asia. Academy concluded on a high note with a day of celebration at The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx.

On October 18, the modern band at All Hallows High School in the Bronx brought their talents and energy to the Lobby Stage at the brand new Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) in Lower Manhattan. It was a riveting night that united the school community and ETM supporters to celebrate music education. This was the first of five ETM Live! performances that we'll be hosting throughout the year at PAC NYC, with each concert showcasing students from a different borough of New York City.

Also in October, ETM students were honored to participate in a community event in partnership with TuneCore to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. Middle and high school students from two ETM partner schools visited the TuneCore offices to learn from women in the music industry who shared their inspiring career journeys, including: Andreea Gleeson (CEO, TuneCore), Erica Clayton (VP Artist Support & Operations, TuneCore), Lisa Robinson (Downtown Music Holdings), Maureen “Mo” Ochs (Spotify), AdELA (Singer, Songwriter, Rapper) & Ms Madli (Composer, Producer). We are very grateful for the opportunity to facilitate experiences outside of the classroom that support student growth within the music field.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support in making music education a reality for thousands of children across New York City!

2022-2023: A YEAR OF MUSIC AND CELEBRATION
This year was marked by a series of special public performances, community celebrations, career development opportunities for students, and citywide recognition for our innovation and impact.

PERFORMING AT THE ICONIC APOLLO THEATER
On December 1, 2022, ETM partner students gave a special performance at the Apollo Theater. The Ralph Bunche choir from partner school P.S. 125 in Harlem was invited by Mastercard to perform at the exclusive Netflix film screening of Descendant, a documentary that follows descendants of the survivors from the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, as they reclaim their story. Introduced by NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks, the choir opened the evening with a powerful and moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to the audience of educators and community members, and received an overwhelming standing ovation.

The students' performance and voices were featured on NBC New York’s “Positively Black,” a weekly series that highlights health and education issues, and social and cultural programs in the Black community.

BRINGING HOLIDAY CHEER TO YOUTUBE
This winter, students from ETM partner school C.S. 55 in the Bronx were invited to the YouTube offices in Manhattan to give a memorable holiday performance.

Led by incredible ETM Teacher Arielle Lewis, the students brought so much joy to the space through their songs and ukuleles.

The students even received a surprise visit from artist Lola Brooke, who shared with them her experiences building a successful career in the music industry. A 4^th grade student shared that it was the “very, very best field trip hands down!”


SINGING AT THE TOP OF NEW YORK CITY
Students from ETM partner school M.S. 180 in the Bronx were invited by The Durst Organization to perform a special holiday concert in the Sky Lobby of One World Trade Center.

The audience was overwhelmed by the skill and achievement of the talented middle school choir as they brought holiday cheer to the space through a medley of traditional and contemporary songs.

CAREER DAY AT WARNER MUSIC GROUP
High school students from partner school The Laboratory School of Finance & Technology in the Bronx participated in a special Career Day at the headquarters of Warner Music Group.

The immersive day began with the students delighting Warner staff with a bucket drumming performance, a beautiful duet, and pieces performed by the group’s instrumental ensemble.

An engaging series of panel discussions with Warner senior leaders and representatives followed, providing students with the opportunity to gain knowledge about various aspects of the music industry and career tracks that may be of interest to them.
 

ETM RECEIVES COVETED NYC IMAGINE AWARD
This year, ETM was honored to be the recipient of the Arts & Culture Award at the 2^nd Annual NYC Imagine Awards.

With nearly 250 applications submitted for consideration in five categories, ETM was selected because of its significant impact on underserved students in under-resourced schools across New York City through its innovative programming.

Board members Waleed Diab and Manoj Susarla and CEO Janice Weinman accepted the award.