Community Engagement Programs

Our Reach

Community Music Center of Boston works collaboratively with a wide range of partners throughout Greater Boston to create programs that meet the needs of each unique community.

This map includes program sites as of August 2023.


School Partnerships

CMCB’s school partnerships provide culturally inclusive and accessible music instruction to students in public, private, and other educational settings. Programs vary in length and content, driven by the interests and needs of partners. Some students receive full year instruction, while others participate in week-long intensives. CMCB offers individual, small group, and large group programming. Students pay no tuition or fees. Examples of current programs include general music, instrumental instruction (winds, brass, bucket drumming, piano, violin, and ukulele), chorus, songwriting, movement, music production, and music therapy.

2022-2023 School Partners:

  • Charles H. Taylor Elementary School
  • Excel High School
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt K-8 School
  • Harvard-Kent Elementary School
  • Hurley K-8
  • Richard J. Murphy School
  • Samuel Adams Elementary School
  • Thomas J. Kenny Elementary School
  • West Zone Early Learning Center
  • William E. Russell Elementary School
Students participate in Stringfest, an annual event gathering school string programs for performances and workshops.

The CMCB music program has… added considerably to the overall positive climate of our school.

Joy Salesman-Oliver, Principal, Higginson/Lewis K-8

Community Partnerships

CMCB works with health and human service and family support organizations as part of its community partnerships. Participants include children, families, adults, and older adults. This program responds to a major barrier to access for individuals from disinvested communities: the burden of transportation to an arts organization’s central headquarters. To eliminate this barrier, programming takes place at community sites. Programming includes music instruction, music therapy, events, and workshops.

2022-2023 Community Partners:

  • Bay Cove Human Services – Music Therapy
  • Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries – Music Therapy
  • Rogerson Communities Egleston – Music Therapy
  • Rogerson Communities Roslindale – Music Therapy
  • Smart from the Smart – Music Therapy, Songwriting

Music Therapy?

The music therapy program at CMCB works with around 240 individuals per year in collaboration with schools and community partners. Our credentialed music therapists work alongside participants and empower them to address their goals. Common focuses include academic and cognitive skills, coping skills, communication and self-expression, promoting independence, motor development, and social skills.

Become a CMCB Partner

Interested in bringing music to your school/community center?
Contact Chris Perry, Senior Director of Community Engagement Programs.


Funding

In recent years, CMCB’s Community Engagement Programs have been funded by supporters including: Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, Cambridge Community Foundation, CF Adams Trust, DCU for Kids, EdVestors, George Frederick Jewett Foundation East, Hermann Foundation, John W. Alden Trust, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Oren Campbell McCleary Charitable Trust, Schrafft Trust, TD Bank Foundation, and in-kind donations from Johnson Strings.
 
This program is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which receives support from the State of Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
 
CMCB’s partnership with the Boston Public Schools is funded in part by EdVestors BPS Arts Expansion, a multi-year effort focusing on access, equity, and quality arts learning for BPS students. This is supported by the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation, Katie and Paul Buttenwieser, Klarman Family Foundation, Linde Family Foundation, and other foundations and individuals.

NEXT JAMS at CMCB

Community Conversations: Music and Well-Being with Tasha Golden, PhD

April 25, 2024 06:00-07:30pm

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