About Boston Music Project
Our Mission
The Boston Music Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring the long-term social-emotional and musical success of children and youth by nurturing creativity, celebrating cultures, and developing civic engagement through quality music education and performance.
Our Vision
BMP’s vision is to give every child an engaging and fun musical experience, performance opportunities to develop confidence and self-efficacy, high levels of musical proficiency, and a passion for learning that transcends all subjects. We serve youth of all ages to ensure that the following long-term impact goals can become a reality for all students:
Musical Excellence
All youth take part in weekly, small-group rehearsals in one of eight orchestras, receive weekly private lessons from our dynamic team of professional musicians and experienced music educators, and take part in multiple community performances each year.
Social Emotional Development
Our curriculum is specifically designed to help students develop self-confidence and intrinsic motivation, empathy towards a diverse community of peers, and the ability to problem-solve and make constructive and respectful choices.
Civic Engagement
Our focus on community involvement gives students more context for how they as individuals can make a positive impact in the world. Students will understand the importance of community engagement, the positive role that music can play in their communities, and the satisfaction of preparing and performing for others.
Creative
Self-Expression
In addition to instrumental music instructions, students take part in a series of creative projects from our signature paper orchestra program, student composition workshops, digital music tech classes, and music projects that integrate academic learning.
Our History
Boston Music Project, formerly Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program, was founded in 2011 by Graciela Briceno and Boston Public Schools Principal Simon Ho. As someone who did not have the opportunity to learn an instrument as a child, Principal Ho dreamed of having an orchestra at his elementary school that was both accessible and affordable for all students. In its first year, the orchestra program served 50 students with four hours of music instruction per week. In subsequent years Boston Music Project grew by adding new faculty, serving more children, and increasing the number of hours per week of music instruction.
In 2013 BMP created a Kindergarten Musicianship class, with a focus on general music, paper orchestra, beginner strings, and community development from an early age (this is now the Mozart Orchestra).
In 2015, a new partnership began with Josiah Quincy Upper School to continue serving students who had graduated from the elementary school. This new partnership focused on chamber music & leadership, for middle school students who wanted to advance their musical studies and leadership skills. A Leadership Training Program for adolescents, focusing on what it means to be a mentor/role model, self-efficacy, and communication skills.
In 2017, BMP was selected as a BPS Social-Emotional Learning & Wellness Portfolio Partner and launched the Beethoven Ensemble for students with special needs. The Beethoven Ensemble serves 45 students with physical and mental disabilities during the school day, providing singing, rhythm, and simple instrumental instruction.
In 2018, BMP increased enrollment by 32% and launched a beginner orchestra for students in 1st-5th grades new to music studies.
BMP also launched a Community Engagement Initiative, with multiple opportunities throughout the year for students to showcase their musical skills and connect with the Greater Boston community including performances at HubWeek, Boston Public Library, Boston MFA, City Hall, and Symphony Hall for the Mayor's State of the City Address.
In 2019 BMP received an Official Resolution from the City of Boston acknowledging our program's commitment to providing high-quality music education and performance for students in the Chinatown community.
In 2019 and 2020, BMP received “Best Community for Music Education” Award from the National Association for Music Merchants.
In 2020, in response to the global pandemic, BMP launched fully virtual programming for 262 youth in March at three BPS sites with our instrumental Morning Music Programming. BMP also extended programming for all families through Spring Break and Summer 2020.
During the 2020-2021 school year BMP held virtual before, during, and after-school programing for over 200 youth at four different Boston Public Schools. BMP students and staff produced 25 virtual orchestra projects, three student-composed albums, and staff presented at 15 regional, national, and international conferences regarding best practices in virtual teaching strategies. BMP also worked with the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to provide a digital summer program, “Amplify MA,” to 60 youth in six different MA towns/cities.
Currently, Boston Music Project provides music instruction to over 1000 students across Boston through before, after, and in-school programs.
