What We Do
“Young Voices has really changed what performance looks like in the Worcester Public Schools, and the energy and motivation for students to participate in performing arts.”
— Lisa, District Performing Arts Director of Curriculum, Worcester, MA
Music Programs are being taken away from the schools that need them most.
A 2012 U.S. Department of Education report saw a startling disparity between the availability of music programs in high-poverty and low-poverty schools.
Unfortunately, students in high poverty schools typically have less access to quality music education programs.
It has been shown that music instruction not only improves children’s communication skills, attention, and memory, but studies now show that it may even close the academic gap between rich and poor students.
The Brookings Institution has said, “Over the last few decades, the proportion of students receiving arts education has shrunk drastically. This trend is primarily attributable to the expansion of standardized-test-based accountability, which has pressured schools to focus resources on tested subjects. As the saying goes, what gets measured gets done. These pressures have disproportionately affected access to the arts in a negative way for students from historically underserved communities”.
The above is true especially in economically struggling schools; The YV Education in Music Foundation provides economically struggling schools a semester-long program that engages schools and teachers alike.
We believe that music has the ability to unite children of all backgrounds, and we find the best and most sustainable way to accomplish this is by putting the tools in educators’ hands, giving them the option to create an independent music program, or enhance their current curriculum.
Our semester-long “in class” program allows teachers at the end of the school year to provide their students with a “once in a lifetime” professional concert with thousands of their peers from the surrounding community. The students get to see their semester of studying put to practical usage and they are the “stars”
“...working with children to create a strong and unique musical bond that could change lives and perceptions….”
— PARADE MAGAZINE
We support students by helping schools.We provide the teachers and schools with all the necessary resources needed to successfully build a school- wide music program that inspires and ignites a love of music.
Our program is designed to be used by a music teacher or any educator on staff; all you need is a love of singing and education, and a desire to improve your students lives and education experience.
Support Materials include:
Curricular materials and lesson plans in inquiry-based format structured on the National Core Arts Standards
Teacher Workshops to review music and logistical information in which teachers earn valuable Professional Development Hours for their participation.
Scores to high-quality performance repertoire
Vocal and accompaniment recordings
Conducting notes
Teaching aims and objectives