Why Music Matters?
Pakachoag’s Music Matters program is designed to create more equal access for out-of-school music learning.
Research shows that the arts are vital to human development and in building healthy communities. For these reasons and more, we believe EVERY child should be able to access after-school arts opportunities. However, research also shows that many do not have access to out-of-school arts opportunities, in large part due to economic barriers; also transportation and language barriers. It is this need for more equal access which drives our investment in partnerships, expanded community engagement, and financial aid.
Welcoming Every Student, Expanding Access
- For Fall of 2022, Pakachoag embarked on the new “Music Matters” after-school program. Music Matters brings free or reduced tuition music learning and enrichment to local children and youth who lack the resources needed to participate in traditional after-school programming with Pakachoag.
The support of many, including parent gifts at registration, has given us the confidence to step up and out with Music Matters. For FY23, we’ll reach 100+ children and youth for a total of 700 instructional hours. Each activity responds to student needs and interests, with input from partners. With a $60,000 budget, we’re optimistic we can raise all of the dollars needed for the coming year.
If you would like to support the Music Matters program, you can do that online, here.
Pakachoag is currently working with the following community-based organizations to bring classes off-site or to accept partner referrals for financial aid.
- Black Excellence Academy / BEA
- Elm Park Community School
- Boys and Girls Club of Worcester
- CENTRO
- Worcester Family Partnership
- African Communication Education / ACE
- Music Together at the Hanover Theatre Conservatory
The program consists of three branches of support.
- Off-site free music classes managed and funded by Pakachoag in partnership with 1 or more organizations. (FY23: $21,400 budget with partner Elm Park Elementary School.)
- Off-site programs managed by other non-profits, free for students in need. Pakachoag shares its expertise and funds faculty for a music component of the partner program. (FY23: $2,250 budget with partner Black Excellence Academy [BEA].)
- Need-based tuition subsidies, mostly on-site but also off-site or remote, for tuition-based Pakachoag programs. (FY23: $34,000 budget.) In addition to under-writing music lessons and keyboard classes, we’ll be partnering with Quinsigamond Elementary and Emanuel Lutheran to provide a Theater with Music class, at Emanuel Church, with full tuition subsidies allocated to local Quinsigamond Village children in need. The QV segment of Music Matters is confirmed for funding via GWCF and is not part of this request.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is a key component of the Music Matters program. We encourage students served through partner programs to consider applying for aid for on-site music classes and lessons.
We extend thanks to the following funders who are currently or have been recently supporting the Financial Aid and Outreach Program:
- The Mass. Cultural Council / MCC
- Greater Worcester Community Foundation / GWCF
- The Rice Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee
- Hoche-Scofield Foundation / Bank of America, NA, Co-Trustee
- The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
- DCU for Kids, Webster Five Foundation
- Country Bank for Savings
- The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
- The Ruth H. and Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation.
- School Donors
- School Parents, with gifts at registration
Thank you for supporting our efforts to create more equal access to out-of-school music learning.
Partners in Music
Pakachoag is pleased to extend its reach into the community as a Partner in Music with the Worcester Children’s Chorus (WCC); and Worcester Youth Orchestras (WYO).
Our partnership with the Chorus and Orchestras creates more opportunities for our students and performers.
We will give precedence, when possible, to WCC and WYO families wishing to enroll in music school programs. Please let us know if you are a chorus or orchestra members.
For Pakachoag Music School, our partnership with WCC and WYO is about creating more opportunities for Greater Worcester. We’re not only sharing ideas and resources which strengthen each of us organizationally; but by creating cross-connections with music, the larger community benefits from richer and more diverse experiences. Partners in Music is expanding the ripple effects of our music, inside and out.
The Worcester Youth Orchestras rehearse their larger ensembles at the Auburn Public Schools. The Worcester Children’s Chorus rehearses their larger choir programs at Assumption College in Worcester.
Prior partner programs over the years include:
- Auburn Youth & Family Services
- Jewish Community Center
- Seven Hills Foundation
- Worcester Senior Center
- Guild of St. Agnes Pre School
- Elm Park Early Childhood Learning Center
- Notre Dame Assisted Living Center
