Strings Attached project - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Strings Attached project serves youth ages 5 years old to 17 years old. Of particular concern and focus are youth from
working class families who lack the economic capital for music lessons, lack instruments and who don't have access to
school or church music education programs.

Over 80% of the families served come to the project without instruments. We help provide loaner and awarded instruments to them. When surveyed, over 90% of families served by Strings Attached project responded that they would not be able to afford music lessons or instruments though conventional options such as private lessons or music store lessons.

Benefits for youth involved via three educational modes are
1) skills development (individual)
2) participatory (ensemble)
3) presentational (community performance and recording sharing online.)

Youth personal development benefits include; being connected to others through music-making, developing musical
competency & literacy, becoming creative, personal expression, developing leadership capabilities, being publicly
recognized and having a sense of accomplishment which nurtures self-esteem.

The projects helps families become invested in education with music-making events. Students who pursue their music in
schools often find music education to be a reason to show up & stay in school. Music also leads to more focused
attention in classroom activity.