About the Nonprofit
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Founded in 1983, the Manchester Community Music School (MCMS) serves the City of Manchester and State of New Hampshire as one of the most comprehensive centers for music education. Our students engage music at every level of learning across age, ability, and interest and we see it enrich lives. By creating and implementing programming in an integrated way we create a holistic experience for our students, helping them reach their short-term and long-term goals. We do this by connecting three important layers of music education; talented and well-educated faculty who bring creative and innovative new ways of teaching, students for whom music is an interest and passion, and a dedicated staff who provide consistent oversight and direction.
The Music School serves over 1,500 individuals each year through a wide array of programs including early childhood classes, private lessons, chamber groups, the largest youth ensemble program north of Boston, summer community band, summer camps, the most comprehensive Suzuki program in the state, and an extensive outreach program. Understanding the profound ways in which music therapy can impact the lives of individuals with special needs, MCMS launched the first music school supported music therapy program in New Hampshire in the fall of 2006. Today, MCMS provides services to approximately 300 children, teens, and adults each week both in-house and through community partnerships. MCMS serves the wider Manchester area through our extensive outreach programming, working to keep music at the center of New Hampshire’s education and enrichment programs for every child, youth, and adult. Community partnerships are an important part of the Music School mission as they provide us the opportunity to have an impact that reaches far beyond our own walls. Our music therapy services, and music education opportunities become available to people who would not otherwise have access. MCMS outreach programs are subsidized through grant funding that averages over $100,000 per year.
At MCMS, our students and clients range in age from 6 months old to 90 years young and attend the school from 60 New Hampshire communities. MCMS’ mission is Changing Lives Through the Power of Learning, Sharing and Making Music. Core to our mission, the Music School is committed to ensuring that anyone wishing to study music or benefit from music therapy services can regardless of their financial situation. As such, MCMS awards more than $100,000 in financial assistance each year.
The Music School is home to 50 of New England’s finest music educators and music therapists. Dedicated to helping students reach their full potential, these fine men and women work every day to mentor and inspire their students and clients. The goal of our music educators is not to have every student major in music or become a professional musician, but rather to take the skills and passion learned by studying music and translate that passion into whatever they decide to do in life.