Give In-School Music Education to NYC Youth

Students from across ETM’s 28 partner schools gave a marvelous performance at the 2013 ETM Children’s Benefit Gala, and captivated the nearly 500 guests in attendance.  Under the direction of ETM’s Director of Programs, Pete Pauliks, and accompanied by Gala honoree Richard Bernstein on piano, 80 choral and 60 ensemble students sang and performed two pieces. “Turn the World Around,” a folk song inspired by African culture with words and music by Harry Belafonte and Robert Freedman, showcased the students’ musical skills effortlessly.  The second piece performed, “Nella Fantasia”—Italian for “In My Fantasy”—beautifully captured the hope we share, as an organization, for our students. 

ETM music teachers reported that their student-participants were energized by the performance and were eager to continue practicing even after the event was over! Fortunately, between general music classes, ensemble and choral rehearsals students won’t have to wait too long for their next performance. Partner schools will be holding their spring concerts throughout the month of May, and over 700 students will perform at this year’s ETM Festival in early June at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheatre at Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan. It is guaranteed to be a day filled with inspiring performances!

If you would like to attend a student concert or the ETM Festival, contact ETM for more information at info@ETMonline.org.

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Other recent developments for ETM’s New York City Partner School Program include the release of program evaluation finding from the 2011-2012 school year. Data was gathered through surveys and interviews with students, principals and parents and assessment tests. Highlighted findings include:

• ETM instruction is positively associated with students’ musical knowledge and with students’ academic achievement in Math and English Language Arts.
• Over 90% of partner school principals and classroom teachers rate the program as either “excellent” or “good.”
• 79% of parents believe that ETM has increased the musical activities they share with their children.
• The majority of partner school classroom teachers—75%—believe that music education impacts student learning.
• ETM enhances students’ general development, especially in areas of confidence and creativity.

To read the full report, please visit www.ETMonline.org/evaluation.

To read ETM’s success story narratives, please visit http://etmonline.org/etm-impact/success-stories

In order to help cultivate school communities that value the arts, ETM needs your continued support. Please consider sharing this report, and the positive impact ETM is having at our partner schools, with others who might like to contribute to restoring music education in NYC schools. 

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