Music Instruments & Supplies for NYC Kids

Happy Summer from ETM! With another amazing school year in the books, we’re thrilled for the growth and achievements of the 34,000 students across New York City who participated in ETM music programs at their schools—including 10,000 children whose schools partnered with ETM for the very first time. With support from donors like you, these children – 85% of whom are from low-income households – received a well-rounded education that included comprehensive, quality music instruction. Your generosity helped ensure that children in all five boroughs had the instruments, supplies, and resources to spark learning through music.

The gains students make in their ETM music programs are evident to their parents and guardians, who have taken time to share their observations on how music education has affected their children over the past year. Parents of children at ETM partner schools in the Bronx and Queens recently shared:

“My son’s social skills have increased, he has developed confidence, he LOVES music, he enjoys singing and dancing. Overall the music program has had a tremendous positive impact on him.”

“The [music] teacher has taken into account that my child is special needs and does not learn at the same pace the other children learn. But she has [found how] to incorporate him into the class. My son is always eager to participate in his music class. He wants to learn and he expressed an interest in joining the school band.”

“I notice that the [music] program keeps my child focused and busy… Even through making a mistake, she keeps trying to get it right instead of giving up easily.”

“The music teachers are wonderful and very supportive. They create an atmosphere where my daughter thrives and aims to be the best. It empowers and emboldens her to even communicate on another level. My child gets the opportunity to share music with other people outside of the school, and I have noticed a new appreciation and love for music. Through the program I see her leadership skills growing and she is able to advocate on behalf of herself and her peers.”

With your support, students across the city have developed skills, gained knowledge, and sparked a passion for music that will stay with them for years to come. Thanks to you, ETM is putting more children on the path to a brighter future. We have already secured multiple new partner schools for this fall – when our programs will expand to serve more students than ever before. Thank you for helping us make access to music education a reality for the children who need it most. Don’t forget to share this report with a family member or friend to let them know the incredible difference supporting ETM’s programs can make!

Happy Spring from ETM! Across New York City, students at ETM partner schools are preparing to showcase their new musical prowess at spring concerts. With your support, ETM brought comprehensive music instruction and enrichment to more than 10,000 children at our newest partner schools. Prior to partnering with ETM, these schools did not have the resources to provide ongoing music education–but thanks to generous donors like you, their students have access to music and its life-changing benefits.

Music programs at ETM partner schools are inspiring children like Jackson, a 4^th grade student at an ETM partner school in Staten Island, who is making tremendous strides in his education and development. Growing up, Jackson has often struggled to participate and succeed in school, dealing with anger and a lack of patience. He has had difficulty connecting with his peers.

This year, Jackson joined the band, selecting to play the tenor saxophone. He quickly discovered a passion for the instrument, and has shown talent as a musician. Band has given Jackson a new source of connection to school and is helping drive his desire to participate and learn. His behavior during the school day has improved noticeably, as has his cooperation with teachers and classmates. He is actively working to improve each day.

His ETM music teacher sees great potential for the role music will continue to play in Jackson’s life, saying, “[Music will] help him develop his communication skills and give him another avenue for being creative.” Jackson is now an active and composed participant in his general music class and band, and is reaping the benefits provided by the music program you have helped ETM to build at his school.

Like Jackson, thousands of children attending ETM partner schools are making strides in their education and development thanks to their music programs. With your help, ETM is weaving music into the fabric of even more schools across the city. We have already started securing new partner schools for the 2019–20 school year and look forward to bringing music to thousands more children! Thank you for helping us give students in need the resources to explore, learn, and thrive. Don’t forget to share this report with a family member or friend to let them know the incredible difference supporting ETM’s quality music education can make!