By Molly Gibson | Development Associate
The holiday season is an inspiring time for Education Through Music’s partner schools—and especially for those in their first year of working with ETM. After months of focused preparation, students perform in festive year-end concerts for family and friends (and for many of them, it’s their first time on stage!). Music teachers pause to take pride in how much their students have grown since only September. And we at ETM thank YOU for your dedicated support of inner-city music education. You make it all possible!
One music teacher, who works at two of ETM’s first-year partner schools, enthusiastically shares how her students have found joy and confidence through music class:
“In all of my classes, I have watched students come out of their shells… I have my students singing, dancing, acting, and playing instruments. I think being aware and comfortable of your body and movement is important in everyday life. It's amazing because every day I notice more and more students becoming confident in their own skin.”
She describes how singing has given one troubled student a constructive outlet for his emotions:
“One student, in particular, is known for having anger issues and physically lashing out. In my eyes, though, this student is extremely musical and has a lot of potential. My class gives him the opportunity to shine and show a different side to his personality that many teachers or staff rarely get to see. One fact that many would not know about this student is that he LOVES the song, ‘If I Could Fly Like A Snowflake.’ The first week I introduced this song, I could see a spark in his eyes. He was singing and dancing and he was genuinely happy. As I said, this student is known for his unsafe behavior. I see him in a completely different light. I see him as the student who is enthusiastic about music and who loves to sing. Whenever I see this student in a bad mood, I always remind him of the ‘Snowflake’ song and he instantly starts to regain control. Music has the ability to lift one’s spirits and change how we perceive the world around us. To this one young student, this song reminds him of happier thoughts and is able to help him get through rough parts of the day.”
Music has given this child an opportunity to express himself in a way that other classes have not. Singing helps him control his emotions and gives his teachers and school staff a better picture of his potential. Stories like this underscore how ETM values music education: as a subject important in its own right, and as a tool for promoting growth and development in other areas—emotional, social, and academic. 5,000 students are receiving these opportunities for the very first time this year, as their schools have just begun partnering with ETM. We couldn’t give these opportunities to deserving students without your support. Thank you!
Please forward this report to your family and friends and encourage them to learn about ETM. Have a wonderful holiday!
With sincere thanks,
The ETM Staff
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