Give In-School Music Education to NYC Youth

It’s hard to believe that spring is around the corner, especially with the recent storms keeping us all on our toes! Our partner school students continue working hard in the classroom and are improving each and every day. In January and February, partner school students performed in band and orchestra concerts for their parents and school community, and soon enough they will get to show off their ever-developing skills at the spring concerts!

One student whose star will be shining extra bright at the spring concerts is Daniela, a bright fifth grade student at an ETM partner school in the Bronx. Daniela’s transition to fifth grade hasn’t been easy, as this is her very first year in a public school. Previously, Daniela was home-schooled. Despite being motivated, Daniela started the school year without knowing any of her fellow classmates. She wasn’t used to being in a classroom all day with other students, and became very shy. She lacked the confidence to start up a conversation with her peers, which led to her not having many friends. This all started to change when Daniela started taking general music class. She really enjoyed going to music, and formed a great relationship with her music teacher.

At the encouragement of her teacher, Daniela decided to join the school band. Joining the band really helped Daniela come out of her shell, and she quickly became more social. Before joining the band, Daniela was too shy not only to make friends, but also to actively participate in class. She didn’t have the confidence to raise her hand and answer questions, even when she knew the answer. Once she was part of band, that shyness melted away. She is no longer afraid to raise her hand in class and answer questions, and she has more confidence to engage in class and with others. She has formed close relationships with her bandmates, and they encourage her to keep participating in class, even cheering her on when she answers questions correctly. Daniela recently auditioned for the middle school band so that, after she completes 5^th grade, she can continue to grow as a student and with an ensemble.

By supporting Education Through Music you are helping student like Daniela flourish in their school environments, which will ultimately lead to their overall success. Thank you for your support and for helping us serve the students that need it most. Show your support for ETM by sharing this report with a family member or friend; let them know the impact their support has!