By Geraldine Inoa | Development Associate
Happy Spring from ETM! As we transition into warmer weather, our partner school students are also experiencing marvelous transformations because of your generous support. Thanks to you, nearly 27,000 children at 48 partner schools in all five boroughs of New York City are using music as a means to grow academically and emotionally through exciting, interactive learning experiences.
Music class provides a safe, nurturing environment that promotes self-expression in children while also improving analytical reasoning, fostering language development, and strengthening social skills. Music teachers serve as champions for students’ growth, supporting their social and emotional development. For Miguel, a 7th grader from the Bronx, encouragement from his music teacher helped him overcome his shyness and build self-esteem.
Because of his introverted nature, Miguel was a very quiet student who often seemed sad and was apprehensive about expressing himself. Nonetheless, Miguel was an undeniably talented trombone player—but in the middle of the year, he began to feel uncertain about his place in the school’s band and considered quitting. His ETM music teacher knew that Miguel had natural musical instincts and decided that perhaps a simple change in instrument could be the boost Miguel needed for his self-confidence. His teacher suggested the tuba since it requires similar technique to the trombone. And it worked!
His teacher shared, “The tuba hooked him. We had our first tuba lesson, and he was a natural. He not only sounded great on the tuba and picked up reading the lower written music quickly, but you could see an excitement in his eyes that had not been there before.” Playing the tuba reignited Miguel’s love for band and inspired him to become more present in school. Now he is performing better academically and is bonding with his bandmates. “Miguel’s grades have improved tremendously,” explained his teacher, “He is in honors classes and was at the recent honors assembly, but most noticeably, he is beginning to open up. It is tough for a quiet person to open up, but band has helped him do that. And now the band has an awesome tuba player who is excited to be there! Band is the only class in the school where students stay together for all three years, so the kids develop their own relationships that they wouldn't have anywhere else.”
That music was able to transform Miguel into a child who has a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-worth is a wonderful testament to the opportunities made possible by your generous support. The impact you have had on Miguel has put him on a path towards a successful life both in and out of school. Because you believe in our students, they are starting to believe in themselves, too! Show your support for ETM by sharing this report with a family member or a friend. Let them how far their generosity can go.
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