Music en Masse is a 501(c)(3) volunteer non-profit organization based in the Greater Boston Area that seeks to provide privatized musical instruction to young children in need. We hope to mitigate costs that families need in order to provide their child with a sustainable music education.
The organization was founded on June 18, 2020 to help families that have been traditionally underrepresented in music. We serve families who fall into one of the following categories:
1. Families who can afford an instrument but not private instruction
Many students often begin learning an instrument through a public program in their school district. However, these programs often have issues because they are underfunded. When they begin learning an instrument, students may find themselves in lessons with multiple other students and teachers who cannot give them the attention that they need. To grow their student’s musical capabilities, parents often have to look to private programs. Under our organization, these families will have the opportunity to give their child free one-on-one instruction from the volunteer efforts of our students.
2. Families who can afford an instrument and private instruction but do not have the time or a sufficient music program in their area
While some families may be able to afford the costs of an instrument and private instruction, they may live in an area with mediocre music programs or none at all. This program seeks to give families (who may have to travel 45 minutes to an hour or more to drop their kid off to a lesson with an average instructor) the opportunity to give their student a music education in a time-efficient manner. Our student volunteers will be assigned to pupils based on geography and school.
3. Families who can neither afford an instrument or private instruction
Through fundraising and donations, we hope to provide families in need with an instrument of their choice at a reduced costs or for free. These families will also have access to free and privatized lessons.
4. Families in any of the above categories who want to have their child start learning music at an earlier age
In certain areas, some public music programs only have children start learning an instrument at 8,9, or even 10 years old. This program also hopes to provide families the option to have their kid start learning an instrument as early as 4 or 5 years old.