Outreach Programs: Arts-in-Education and Community Engagement

Manhattan School of Music has a long tradition of offering community outreach programs. In 1918, during its first season as a community school, students performed in a district concert series in World War I camps and hospitals. Each year since then, our students have presented community service concerts in a variety of local venues.

Today, Manhattan School of Music’s multifaceted arts-in-education and community engagement programs have provided MSM students training in the practical and human skills required to effectively communicate their artistry outside the concert hall. Students who participate in the program broaden their perspective and role as musicians in today’s society. These programs are as follows:

Music Teaches prepares Manhattan School of Music students to be effective artist-educators through pedagogical instruction and practical teaching experience in New York City pre-K – 12 schools. The program provides residency programs in orchestral music, opera, musical theater, and jazz. In addition, Manhattan School of Music student teaching artists instruct beginner and intermediate instrumental classes at our partner schools. The program includes instruction in cello, clarinet, double bass, drum set, electronic music, flute, guitar, keyboard, percussion, recorder, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, viola, and violin. All participants in the instrumental instruction program present a culminating end-of-year recital.

Music Heals provides students with an opportunity to present inspirational and interactive performances to diverse audiences in hospitals, senior living residences, hospices, and other community centers in New York City, sharing the healing power of music as medicine. In many cases, performances are presented to underserved communities and to those who are unable to attend musical performances on their own.

Music Reaches provides a diverse array of performance opportunities for students in public venues throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Through the program, students are able to expand their performance techniques for diverse audiences in non-traditional concert settings.