The primary objective of the Foundation is to build relationships with music programs to help them build their resources, particularly within our network of supporters, and not to become major funders of music programs. TO APPLY FOR SPIRIT OF HARMONY FOUNDATION SUPPORT, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
The music programs listed below have a longstanding relationship with our Foundation:
Make Music NOLA In just 2½ years, Make Music NOLA (formerly the Youth Orchestra of the Lower Ninth Ward) offers a daily after-school program, which has grown from five elementary school students to an enrollment of more than 60, providing music education as well as homework tutoring and healthy snacks. Staffed by area musicians and enthusiastic college students, the organization’s zeal and professionalism drew the attention of Todd Rundgren’s fans when they gathered in New Orleans to celebrate his 65th birthday. With alacrity and love, $10,000 was raised from the fan community, making MMN the first program funded by the Spirit of Harmony Foundation.
Brainvolts Schools The Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University provides the scientific evidence behind the fact that playing music has some pretty rockin’ biological effects, such as enhanced learning skills and lifelong auditory and speech acuity. Brainvolts partners with schools in Chicago, home to a large contingent of Todd Rundgren fans, and L.A.-based Harmony Project, whose accomplished students also mentor new ones. Inspired by Todd Rundgren’s self-taught recording studio wizardry, the Spirit of Harmony has a mentorship focus, particularly in the Mountaintop tier, to bring select young musicians to the next step in their musical career, with recording and production assistance.
Play On, Philly! Like Todd Rundgren, a local boy from nearby Upper Darby, POP is something of a musical wunderkind. Founded in 2011, the group more than doubled its size in one year, offering daily orchestral and choral music education to 250 students in the Philadelphia area. POP students, like Todd, are prolific performers playing a 30-date season per year. The Spirit of Harmony has a special interest in supporting orchestral and vocal arts, following Todd’s lead. He invited local youth and college choirs to perform with him on the Todd/Healing tour in 2010 and he has performed with orchestras in Amsterdam, and also in the Columbus and Chicago areas.
Roots of American Music Located in Cleveland, an area highly populated with Todd Rundgren fans and supporters of the SOHF, ROAM fosters the excitement and joy found in traditional American music. Programs include literacy through songwriting workshops and a Jug Band Jamboree for the little ones and professional development for classroom teachers. ROAM has a far reach of nearly 15,000 people. The Spirit of Harmony shares this broad vision of the value of music to create community. eMentoring through video and live guidance will extend SOHF resources to a greater audience.
Seattle Music Partners As its mission states, SMP teaches children “to play instruments and read music.” But that goal is accomplished with an ambitious twist. The organization also recruits, trains and supports skilled musicians from high school age on up as volunteers to do the teaching. SMP staff uses technology, such as Ipads and SmartMusic software, to enhance lessons and offer effective feedback. With its solid, 13-year history and tech prowess, SMP is a good match for the Spirit of Harmony. After all, our founder is known as something of a wizard.
Partner Organizations
Harmony Project Harmony Project, a Los Angeles-based organization with national affiliates dedicated to music education for youth in low-income communities, has been recognized as one of the most effective arts-based youth interventions in the nation.
Little Kids Rock Little Kids Rock is the nation’s leading non-profit provider of free music instruction and instruments and teacher resources to public schools in low-income communities. Nearly 300,000 children have been served in programs that include composition, improvisation and recording.