Music Makers Program
In an effort to keep music education strong in our community, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra,
in collaboration with The Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor has started a Music Makers Class!

Beginning its fifth year, Music Makers provides music education to children at The Boys & Girls Club and recently, students from
Martin Luther King Elementary, Benton Harbor. The program’s approach to music education emphasizes intensive ensemble participation, group learning and peer teaching. It also seeks a commitment to keeping the joy and fun of musical learning
and music making ever-present.

The program’s purpose is ultimately to create a daily haven of safety, joy and fun that builds every child’s self-esteem and sense of value. This intensive approach has allowed students to make substantial progress both as musicians and in life skills such as increased confidence and the ability to focus and collaborate as a group. The purpose of the program is entirely compatible with the vision of The Boys & Girls Club.

We believe that granting youngsters access to quality music education in a safe, nurturing environment is, in many ways, the ultimate example of “giving a hand up.” This is for two reasons: first, because it requires such a high degree of commitment from its participants and second, because the required skills of collaboration and focus (constantly modeled by the teachers) are applicable in every area of a child’s life.

We can imagine few more wholly positive ventures than helping kids thrive through music.

The Instructors