Music Education Outreach Program
The Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County's String Music Education Outreach Program was established in 1998 to provide music education opportunities to underserved children in our community. Violin lessons were incorporated into an existing afterschool program at the Lois Martin Community Center at Dixie Manor in Boca Raton. The program was an immediate success, with more and more children asking to participate. It is a priority of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County to provide and enhance music education opportunities for children in Palm Beach County.
Based on the outstanding success of the YOPBC Outreach Program, and driven by the many documented benefits of music education, the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County has expanded our Music Education Outreach Program this year to reach even more underserved children at five sites throughout Palm Beach County.
YOPBC currently owns nearly 40 violins, violas and cellos to be used in the String Outreach Program. Most of the instruments were donated by individuals and organizations including the Music Guild of Boca Raton and the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. Donations of instruments are always needed and appreciated.
YOPBC's Outreach Program exposes children to classical instruments and music, both through hands-on experience and as audience members. The Youth Orchestra provides free concert tickets to YOPBC events for participating members of the Outreach Program. In addition, exceptional participants with a financial need receive the opportunity to experience further music education through individualized lessons with professional music teachers paid by YOPBC.
In addition to music instruction, students are taught instrument care and respect, basic musicianship, and instrumental technique. Musicians are encouraged to help each other, providing support and guidance to their peers. The program builds self-expression, teamwork, cultural enlightenment, self-confidence, commitment and discipline.
Research has proven the positive impact of music education on children: better school attendance rates, higher student motivation, fewer discipline problems, lower dropout rates, improved grades and standardized test scores, more parental involvement and an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Many of the children involved in this program are at high risk for not succeeding in school and society. Learning how to express themselves in a positive way, through music, may help these children grow up to be more confident, productive and successful citizens of our community, and along the way perhaps discover an otherwise undetected talent for music.