Boulder MUSE is a free music education program that strives to level the playing field in instrument and chorus instruction. Every child that wants to be part of a community where they can sing together and learn an instrument of their choice in a small group is encouraged to join. Learning music in an intensive way where each student is taught with their individual needs and strengths in mind is key to the development of joy, self-esteem and success as young musicians.
MUSE classes are offered two days a week for 1.5 hours each day, giving 3 hours of music instruction per week. Every student studies an instrument in a small class with 6 or fewer students taught by an instructor and an assistant instructor.
MUSE's teachers are professional musicians, most with advanced degrees in Instrument Performance and/or Music Education. The caliber of their teaching, as well as the beauty of their relationships to students, are at the core of MUSE students and parents' love of the program.
Our instrumental programming has grown to include small group instruction for students on the following instruments:
Flute
Violin
Cello
Guitar
Clarinet
Alto saxophone
Trumpet
Recorder
Ukulele
Percussion of all kinds
Prior to instrumental instruction, the whole community comes together for chorus instruction led by our Artistic Director. In addition to unison singing, students sing in rounds and two-part harmonies and are often accompanied by fellow students on percussion and other instruments. Students learn songs in many languages, with an emphasis on Spanish, the native language of the majority of MUSE students.
The mission of Boulder MUSE is to allow children to experience the joy and pride of becoming proficient on an instrument and singing together in a musical community. Our intention is to support the students in developing self-esteem, responsibility, focus and respect for self and others. Most of our students are emerging bilinguals. It is interesting to note that music and language development occur in the same part of the brain. Students' proficiency of language is benefited by studying music.
Founders Elisa Snyder and Mari Madeira were inspired by El Sistema, an initiative that began in Venezuela in 1975 and has grown throughout the world. Mari and Elisa saw the need for such a program in Boulder County. In the spring of 2015 they secured their non-profit status and began the program that fall in Title 1 elementary schools in the Boulder Valley School District. Boulder MUSE has been consistently providing lessons to children of lower socioeconomic status even throughout the COVID era.
Organization name
Boulder MUSE
2016
Tax id (EIN)
47-4666764
Category
Youth Development, Education, Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
4816 PENNSYLVANIA AVEBoulder, CO, US
Boulder County, CO, US