Music as a Global Resource: - International Council for Caring ...

SECTIONS:
Music for Sustainable Community Development
Music for Mental and Physical Health
Music for Lifelong Learning
COUNTRY:
United States of America
PROJECT:
TRANSFORMING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH MUSIC: THE CENTER
FOR MUSIC NATIONAL SERVICE
DESCRIPTION:
The Center for Music National Service (MNS) is a nonprofit organization that supports music as
a strategy for public good. Through direct programs and advocacy, MNS promotes music as an
intervention to improve student success, soothe the sick, and strengthen communities of all kinds.
MusicianCorps, MNS‘s flagship program, trains and places musicians to serve full-time as
teachers and mentors in low-performing public schools, youth centers, and other high-need
community settings. MusicianCorps uses music to reengage youth in their academic and civic
lives, and provide them the skills critical to success in the 21st century. MusicianCorps has the
following key goals (see the Research and Evaluation section of this report for additional
information): Keeping students in school, Building 21st century workforce skills, Making music
accessible and strengthening community.
MusicianCorps Mentors are skilled musicians who have demonstrated a commitment to making a
positive impact in their community. Mentors receive a living stipend, health care and professional
development in exchange for a year-long service term. MC Mentors provide 4 days per week of
music instruction and engagement at 1-2 high-need service sites. Weekly ―5th days‖ are dedicated
to community service and outreach, corps-based reflection and leadership development.
The MusicianCorps curriculum has four main components:
Music Instruction: Project-based instruction focused in composition, improvisation and
performance
Arts Integration: Incorporating music into core subjects such as math, literacy, and
technology to heighten students‘ perception and understanding
Service Learning: Youth apply and strengthen skills learned in the classroom through
quarterly engagement in Music Service Days, performances and community events
Consistent Mentorship: Young adult MusicianCorps Mentors serve as reliable and
relatable role models for youth
CURRENT STATUS:
MNS is funded by both private and public sources. The organization‘s current priority is multistate
expansion of its flagship program, MusicianCorps. As a participant at Clinton Global
Initiative (CGI America) 2011, MNS made a commitment to expand MusicianCorps to 3-5 cities
by Fall 2012. Currently supported in part by an AmeriCorps planning grant, MNS is a candidate
for AmeriCorps National Direct funding through the Corporation for National and Community
Service.
MNS is also piloting a new MusicianCorps Health & Wellness pilot initiative that supports in the
physical, mental, and emotional recovery of patients, veterans, and other populations. Serving in
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