FAQ
- What is Education Through Music?
- How does ETM decide which schools will be chosen as partner schools for its programs?
- What are the benefits of music education?
- What are ETM's objectives?
- How does ETM bring music education to partner schools?
- How does ETM support learning in other academic subjects?
- How is ETM unique from other music education programs?
- How can I learn more about ETM?
- Can I make a donation to ETM?
Q: What is Education Through Music?
A: Founded in 1991 by Edmund Schroeder and Eldon Mayer, Education Through Music, Inc. (ETM®) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes and supports music instruction in disadvantaged schools in order to enhance students' academic performance and general development. ETM partners with schools in New York City, and has consulting and affiliate relationships around the United States.
Q: How does ETM decide which schools will be chosen as partner schools for its programs?
A: ETM partner schools must serve at-risk and economically-disadvantaged students. Typically, 80% of the students are eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program which is based on family income, over 90% are minorities, 10% are English Language Learners and 10% have special needs. The schools traditionally do not have music programs but have the desire to provide music education to the children they serve. A major part of the selection criteria is ETM's judgment of the commitment and capability of the school's principal. Schools that do not qualify as partner schools may be eligible to collaborate with ETM on a consulting basis.
Q: What are the benefits of music education?
A: Extensive research on the effects of music education shows that learning music through listening, performance, voice, and instrumental instruction improves a child's social and academic development. It has been proven that music increases a child's reading, writing, mathematical, and spatial temporal reasoning skills, and that socially, it encourages self-discipline, respect and understanding of others, and aids in a child's general development.
Q: What are ETM's objectives?
A: ETM's ultimate goal is to for every child to have access to a comprehensive music education. To accomplish this goal at the local level, we form partnerships with schools and create individualized plans focusing:
- Quality music instruction for every student.
- Providing our partner schools with qualified music teachers who receive ongoing training, mentoring and professional development.
- Involving parents, school staff, and the community in the idea that music education is essential to a child's academic growth and development.
- Ongoing assessment and evaluation.
Q: How does ETM bring music education to partner schools?
A: ETM establishes music programs and supports school reform by
- Working with each principal to create a long-term plan of arts instruction and integration.
- Recruiting and employing music teachers to: Provide instruction to every child in general music, which incorporates singing and instruments, and music therapy for students with special needs; and to Supplement core programs with elective band and orchestra ensembles.
- Providing customized yearlong training, mentoring and professional development to music teachers, professional development to academic teachers, and ongoing guidance to principals in program management and planning for sustainbility.
- Offering workshops to parents that explain our programs and goals.
- Providing students with enrichment opportunities, such as concerts, lessons and summer camp scholarship, often with assistance from collaborating organizations.
- Monitoring programs, documenting results, and providing feedback to school administration.
- Guiding and assisting each school in building financial and community support.
Q: How does ETM support learning in other academic subjects?
A: ETM's music education reinforces and enhances learning by helping students make connections between music and other subjects. ETM trains music teachers to collaborate with classroom teachers in support of one another's curricular goals. Music teachers plan music lessons that support cognitive thinking skills and content in other subject areas, and classroom teachers use music as a resource to enrich academic lessons.
Return to questions
Q: How is ETM unique from other music education programs?
A: ETM is unique because of an approach which is comprehensive in terms of who we serve as well as in the time commitment and frequency of our services:
- Every child receives music instruction, including those with special needs
- Music is treated as a core subject, with weekly classes throughout the year that follow skills- and standards-based curriculum and include assessment
- We involve the entire school community in developing a school culture that embraces the arts
- Principals are supported and guided in managing the music at their schools and long-term planning to sustain instruction.
Q: How can I learn more about ETM?
A: To learn more about or request materials on ETM, please call (212) 972 4788, email info@ETMonline.org, or visit www.ETMonline.org.
Return to questions
Q: Can I make a donation to ETM?
A: Donations are always welcomed, and can be made online at www.ETMonline.org, over the phone by calling (212) 972-4788, or by sending a check to:
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1501
New York, NY 10168-1503
Who We Serve
During 2011-12, ETM's model serves:
- 13,000 children in New York City, through ETM's partnerships with 25 schools.
- 8,000 children in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, through the work of ETM-LA and ETM-Bay Area, two organizations which we have licensed to replicate our model.
Quotes
"My students have really 'learned' music. They can read notes, they can play the recorder and they can follow a score. The experience has been very positive. [The teaching artist] has been great and has increased my students knowledge and curiosity in music."
-- Classroom teacher, P.S. 38
