What is Harmony?

Harmony is a not-for-profit organization that utilizes the untapped resources of the city’s many college-level musicians to develop the musical talents of young students who would not ordinarily be exposed to music education. Targeting an under-served, primarily African American and Hispanic population, the program helps young participants develop basic instrumental skills and an appreciation for music while simultaneously providing training for future teachers.

Harmony’s student-instructors receive professional development training, an hourly stipend for their teaching services, and often course or work-study credit from their partnering schools. Harmony’s beginner musicians receive musical instruments, music instruction, music books, supplies, and tickets to cultural events, all at little or no cost.

How Does Harmony Work?

Harmony Teachers: Harmony recruits student musicians from local colleges and universities and trains them to teach beginner music to young people. Interested college and graduate-level musicians are asked to complete a survey of their experiences with music and to attend both an orientation and a professional development seminar to train them in the Harmony curriculum and basic teaching techniques. Their interests, experiences, and preferences are reviewed by Harmony staff, and instructors are placed in a variety of instructional settings, including after-school programs, beacon schools, colleges, and community centers.

Harmony Students: Harmony participants receive either weekly Saturday lessons or after-school music instruction.

Participants in Harmony’s Saturday programs are selected through a rigorous application process that includes an essay, a letter of recommendation, and an interview with Harmony staff. Selected students must adhere to stringent attendance requirements and, upon their completion of two years with the program, are referred by Harmony staff to other available music programs throughout the City.

Participants in Harmony’s after-school programs are selected through a process that complies with the participation requirements of the host school. Harmony’s after-school programs can be tailored to compliment a school's curriculum and educational priorities.

What Do Children Learn at Harmony?

Harmony sites provide an hour of small group instruction on individual instruments followed by a second hour of group theory and percussion lessons to reinforce basic rhythm and counting. During each semester students receive a visit from professional musicians who expose them to different instruments and musical styles, and attend cultural events in the city.

Students learn:

- Proper physical orientation toward their instruments (e.g., posture and/or breathing)
- Good tonal quality
- Instrumental range (number of octaves depending on instrument)
- Basic scales
- Basic rhythms
- Music reading skills
- Basic ensemble skills
- Sound practice habits


What Communities Does Harmony Serve?
Harmony currently has program sites in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Please visit our Program Sites page for more details.

How Do I Apply?

Instructors: Interested music instructors can complete the required survey and fax, mail, or email it to Harmony.

Download the Harmony Instructor Survey.

Students: Interested children can download the application and fax or mail it to Harmony.