By Geraldine Inoa | Development Associate
Happy New Year from ETM! We are so grateful for your generous investment in our partner school students. By supporting ETM’s in-school weekly music classes, you are allowing thousands of children in need to develop the intellectual dexterity and emotional sensibility needed for a bright and prosperous future.
One of our core values at ETM is that every student—regardless of their talent or ability—deserves to receive quality, comprehensive music education. This is especially meaningful for our partner schools’ special needs students, who can cultivate vital skills through a nurturing environment that encourages them to persevere through their personal challenges.
For example, Ritchie is a partner school student in the Bronx who suffers from behavioral and mental challenges that make it difficult for him to be fully engaged during the school day. At the beginning of the school year, Ritchie was unable to sit through music class without causing a disruption to his classmates and often had to be removed for instruction to continue. Ritchie’s ETM music teacher could see that he was fascinated by music, and there was an opportunity to use Ritchie’s curiosity to teach him how to behave in class and connect with his peers. She and the classroom teacher decided to gradually increase the amount of time Ritchie spent in music, raising his degree of involvement with each class. After a transition period, Ritchie was able not only to behave in class for the entire period, but also to share positively and contribute to the learning experience.
His music teacher commented, “Recently, Ritchie was able to dance with a scarf to symphonic music without causing any disruptions. He sang one of our songs for this unit with all the right words, pitches, and actions all by himself. He has been actively participating and learning with the rest of the students in his class. It is a great feeling to watch a student who struggles so much with group activities learn how to appropriately interact with his peers. When I passed Ritchie in the hallway this week, I heard him singing the song he performed by himself in music. It's exciting to watch this student take what he is learning outside the classroom!”
Music has inspired Ritchie and given him the motivation to engage deeply with school and to bond with his peers. These are valuable skills that will serve Ritchie beyond the school setting and help him thrive as an adult. The future for children like Ritchie is instantly brightened when music enters their lives. It empowers them to believe in themselves, boosts their self-esteem, and transcends any barriers that stand between them and learning. Without you, Ritchie and students like him would not have access to quality music education and the opportunity to experience such dramatic transformations. Ritchie and all our partner school students performed in concerts in December, showcasing their new talents and abilities for family and friends. We hope you enjoy the pictures!
Thank you for your support and belief in our students! Help us promote music education in inner-city school by sharing this report with your friends and family. Let them know the impact their donation can have on deserving students like Ritchie.
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