The Yamhill Enrichment Society (YES) wants funds to expand its JOY music program to cover K through 5th grades. Based on the internationally successful El Sistema program to harness the power of music for social change, JOY brings joyful learning, discipline, and achievement to an underserved population in rural Yamhill County, Oregon.
Limited school funding provides minimal music instruction for elementary school students. This is made worse in Yamhill County by a lack of access and means for private instruction. 52% of households in Yamhill County are below the ALICE income assessment threshold. Yet research shows learning to play an instrument highly enhances left and right brain development, while promoting a sense of accomplishment as well as the focus and discipline needed to achieve throughout life.
By funding instructors and instruments to teach violin, starting in kindergarten, students get the benefits music plays in brain development, develop a love of music, and have the pride of developing a skill which will enhance their life. In the short term, the fun of learning an instrument has been shown to engage students with their schooling and improves attendance. After completion of 1st grade, students can choose to continue on with their music education with after school JOY programs.
The discipline and focus needed to learn an instrument impart skills which will help students succeed throughout their lives. The sense of achievement that comes from working hard is a lesson they will carry with them as well. We are working with local universities to study the long-term impact participating in the JOY program has on social emotional learning, perceptual reasoning, global cognitive impacts on education and many other areas. We are excited to share JOY with YC Kindergartners!
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