music and arts education for every child.”n of Music Merchants
  

 

 
 
Program Overview:
   

 

The organization has four primary goals, and has developed step-by-step plans for implementing each of them:


• Provide musical instruments to children who are either unable to afford them, or who do not have access to them via traditional means (e.g., school music programs)

• Provide venues (“MusicBoxes”) where children have the opportunity to explore and learn a wide variety of instruments, to interact with their peers in the music-making process, and to receive expert instruction in high-tech recording processes (e.g., computerized digital audio workstations and electronic keyboard synthesizers), and to do so in a safe and supportive environment, free of negative social pressures

• Operate mobile outreach services that bring instruments and music-making opportunities to children that might not have the ability to come to one of the MusicBox centers or otherwise be exposed to these musical experiences.

• Expand their programs to be first city-wide, then county-wide, followed by “franchising” the concept and the tools that make it successful so that it can grow to reach as many children as possible.

 
       

At the heart of the Notes for Notes programs are the MusicBox centers—gathering places where youths can gain regular, free (i.e., no-charge) access to a wide variety of musical instruments, expert instruction, and the tools to create and record their own music. MusicBox centers are:

• Safe—i.e., staffed, supervised, and operated with youth participants having a clear understanding of rules and behavior requirements, such as always demonstrating respect for their peers
• Designed to inspire youths to explore and create. No question is too dumb. No reasonable request is denied. Negative criticism is not offered; support, encouragement, and guidance are the watchwords of the day.

 

  
       
         
   

• Stocked with a variety of electric and acoustic instruments, including guitars, mandolins, banjos, keyboard synthesizers/electric pianos, electronic wind instruments, cellos, violins, drums/cymbals, percussion instruments, harmonicas, and turntables. As necessary and appropriate, instruments are listened to using headphones to allow for more children to play and learn
simultaneously without creating distractions for each other or for other activities that may be going on in adjacent locations.

• Outfitted with a complement of state-of-the art digital recording equipment, including Macintosh and PC computers containing a large assortment of music-making, sound, and recording production software, including Digidesign ProTools, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Fruity Loops, Apple Garage Band, and assorted “soft-synth” instruments (software programs that look and operate like their hardware equivalents). Traditional audio hardware, such as mixers and effects processors, are also on hand, as well as small, self-contained electronic recording devices that allow students to create and explore at their own pace, without fi rst having to absorb volumes of information on music technology or computer operation.

• Filled with a wide assortment of music trade magazines (Mix, Keyboard, Electronic Musician, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Future Music, EQ, Remix, and more), interactive instructional CDs and DVDs, and music songbooks. The format of these materials makes them easy to access (e.g., browse a magazine, or pop a DVD into one of the MusicBox’s computers), and available for library-style checkout.


• Open after school hours (presently 3:00PM – 6:00PM; weekend operation planned) for children between the ages of 12 and 18.

• Outfitted with a variety of instruments available for lending, library-style, to students so that they can practice at home what they have been taught at the MusicBox.

More About The Musicbox