Boston Music Project: More Than Music

The Boston Music Project has been bringing music into the lives of the children of Boston since 2011. Founded by Graciela Briceno and Principal Simon Ho, the BMP was created at an elementary school and was called the Joshua Quincy Music Orchestra Program. The meaning behind creating this orchestra was that Principal Ho wanted an affordable and accessible way to bring music into his students’ lives. The mission of the Boston Music Project is “committed to ensuring the long-term social-emotional and musical success of children and youth by nurturing creativity, celebrating cultures, and developing civic engagement through quality music education and performance”. 

Since the founding of the program, the Project has grown by adding more faculty, serving more children, and increasing the number of hours per week of music instruction. Currently, there are over 230 (and growing) youth served every year through the program. All of these children and their families love the Boston Music Project because of the joy that the power of music brings into their lives. Having an opportunity to learn to play an instrument at a young age is extremely beneficial for developing critical skills that they will use later in life. The BMP website states that “Our vision is to give every child an engaging and fun musical experience, performance opportunities to develop confidence and self-efficacy, high levels of musical proficiency, and a passion for learning that transcends all subjects”. The vision of the program demonstrates the dedication of developing each and every student that holds an instrument in their class. Sometimes children that start don’t necessarily have natural musical skills, but they begin to create a passion and love for music when they realize how fun it is through the BMP.

Photo Courtesy: @BosMusicProject on Instagram

Children with disabilities are also all welcome to participate in music classes. In 2017, the BMP created a Beethoven Ensemble for students with special needs. The Ensemble has 45 students with physical and mental disabilities during the school day. The students are able to participate in singing, rhythm, and simple instrumental classes. 

The Boston Music Project serves the youth of all ages to ensure that the skills and goals set in the younger classes can continue to grow as students get older. Some of the long-term impact goals are musical proficiency, social-emotional development, civic engagement, and creative self-expression. These skills that are developed through the Music Project classes are some of the most prized possessions that students walk away with once they’ve ‘graduated’ from the program. 

Interested? Some of the specific programs that the Boston Music Project has are:

• “Music Connects” K1-K2

• Elementary Music--Grade 1-5

• Middle School Music--6-8th

• High School Music--9-12th

• Private Lessons 

• Special Needs Connectedness (multiple languages)

As of March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, the BMP sprung into action to ensure that their students still had access to classes. Within a week of school closures, 250 youth has access to synchronized music classes, creative composition, and weekly private lessons 5 days a week. This is extremely impressive, considering most schools took longer than a week to ensure all their students had access to online classes. The BMP cares tremendously about its students and families. Their goal is to be inclusive and make sure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy music has to offer. “Support a child in need; change a life forever” is the motto that the Boston Music Project goes by. No child or family is ever turned away because supporting those in need is what those at the BMP believe in. 

If you would like to support the Boston Music Project, you are able to donate online, over the phone, or by mail. Your donation will go towards supporting children whose lives will be changed forever by learning music and essential life skills. 

COVID19 Update: As of now, all classes will be remote through the end of the school year. Unless the CDC recommends otherwise.