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Community Impact Report 2017

The mission of the East Bay Community Music Project, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is to promote community through music-making for people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and incomes.

Individuals like you make it possible for us to empower people to make music that expresses their feelings, challenges their bodies and minds, and engages them with their community. Thanks to you, most Music Project classes, gatherings, and events are completely free to the public. Below, we describe some of the ways EBCMP’s programs have impacted the community over the last year.

Donate to our 2017 Winter Fundraiser

School Sing-Alongs

Our Berkeley Unified School District Sing-Along program engaged over 1,400 diverse children ages 5 to 12, their families, and school staff, in joyful morning sing-alongs. Elementary schools served included LeConte, Washington, Malcolm X and Thousand Oaks.

"During these challenging times when hateful messages are coming at us from all over, it has made me cry tears of happiness knowing that I am leaving my child in such a loving community filled with such positive messages and energy that are felt during those assemblies." Gladys Stout, BUSD Parent

Multigenerational Sunday Gatherings

2017 marked the fifth consecutive year of the Music Project’s twice- a- month music programs, a morning of food, movement, and song shared by young and old alike. Attendance was robust this year, with over 75 new and 125 returning participants. We observed children taking more musical leadership as their skills and confidence have grown.

“EBCMP has brought our family closer together. It has given us songs to sing while driving in the car and songs to sing before going to bed. It's a given us new way to connect with our kids.” Otis Landerholm, Participant

Summer Campout

Our first annual summer campout drew dozens of families, including many new faces, to Tilden Park for a weekend of music-making under the sun and stars.

“There is a special closeness you feel with those you share song with, something deeper than any conversation you might have to get to know someone. What a great way to teach our children and remind ourselves about the importance of connection and collaboration.” Juliana Monin, Campout Participant

Early Childhood Music Education

Twice a month, the Music Project engages young children and their caregivers in music and movement activities at the Prescott Joseph Center, an early care and education facility in West Oakland focused on supporting underserved communities.

“I can see the inherent joy of all the kids from the babies to the preschoolers when the music starts. The multi-lingual, multi-cultural focus honors as many of our cultures as possible and expands our musical horizons.” Ginny Prince, PJC Participant

Seasonal Festivals

We marked the winter and summer solstice, and the spring and fall equinox, with communal song and ceremony, including lighting candles for the “longest night,” impromptu poetry in the park for the start of summer, and a fall harvest feast in a community garden.

“I feel so content to know that music will be a collective experience for my son because if he knows how to dance and sing with others, he will always have joy within his reach.” Faye Stevenson, Participant and Board Member

Building Capacity to Evolve

All of the enriching, expanding, and empowering music-based programming the Music Project facilitated this year came thanks to the support of individuals just like you—participants who contribute what they can, volunteers, board members. We’re proud to report that you increased our annual support of the Music Project by 50%. We have also expanded our board of directors and program volunteers to reflect the diverse talents of our community.

We hope you’ll join us for another year of building community through music.

Donate at:

http://ebcmp.com/donate

or send a check to:

EBCMP
PO Box 3941
Berkeley CA 94703

Learn about volunteer opportunities at:

http://ebcmp.org

Yours in Song and Solidarity,

Ryk A. Groetchen, Executive Director
and the Music Project Board

Donate to our 2017 Winter Fundraiser