In 2007, Pelham Music Festival created a scholarship to support the excellent work of Songcatchers Inc., a non-profit in New Rochelle whose mission aligns with our own. They proclaim that “The magic that comes with learning to play an instrument or sing in a choir helps children grow into expressive, confident adults, instilling self-esteem, inner peace and a sense of belonging. In addition, studies show that musical training improves literacy, memory, and math skills.”, and they nurture this by “offering quality, accessible music instruction to those for whom lessons would otherwise be an unaffordable luxury.”
Our ability to fund this scholarship has waned in recent years, but the new PMF committee is committed to reviving it. We need your help, and generous donations, to make this possible.
Founded 45 years ago with the mission of “Reaching for Peace Through Music”, Songcatchers teaches music lessons to children ages 3-14 at an affordable price. They are able to do this by developing young adult musicians age 14 and older into leaders, by teaching them the art of music education. Teen volunteers are mentored by professional musicians and music educators, and work one-on-one with their students using a curriculum created for each instrument. It’s a fantastic way to achieve service hours, share talent, and develop important skills for any future college or career. Teen volunteers are also invited to join the Songcatchers Orchestra, giving them additional performance and educational opportunities.
