CAUSES WE LOVE: SOUNDSCAPES
Soundscapes is a nonprofit organization that teaches critical life skills to students through music education. At the heart of the organization’s success is the strong belief in the power of music to change lives, and the understanding that all children have valuable contributions to make both musically and to our community.
It is widely accepted that the act of learning music has many more advantages in addition to simply being able to play an instrument. For example, learning music has been shown to strengthen executive brain function, enable positive social relationships, improve academic performance, and much more.
Soundscapes provides free, high-quality music instruction, free instruments, and frequent performance opportunities for two hours after school every weekday during the school year. Younger, less advanced students participate for four hours per week; older, more advanced students participate for 10 hours per week. Soundscapes also provides several half-day and full-day summer programs.
During the program, professional musicians use a custom curriculum to teach increasingly complex music theory and practice. The students are divided into levels based on age and ability. By Level 2, students select an instrument, and earn the right to take it home for practice. By Level 3—typically 4th grade—students are actively performing in ensembles. The most advanced students, both musically and socially, are in Level 4, where they will take private lessons, perform in more advanced community groups, and mentor younger students. Performance is an important component of the program and all students have opportunities to share what they learn through concerts.
In addition to intensive music instruction, the program specifically works with students to develop healthy social and emotional behaviors. Soundscapes includes a Behavior Specialist on its staff. As a result of the comprehensive curricula, the students develop the skills required to succeed in school and beyond.
