Mission
Seattle Music Partners’ free after-school program is an innovative combination of weekly music instruction and mentoring. For 11 years, SMP has worked with underserved elementary and middle school students in Seattle’s Central District. We also provide a unique opportunity for skilled musicians to give back to their community.
Our mission is to help underserved children learn to play instruments and read music.
To attain this goal, we recruit, train and support accomplished high school, college-aged and community musicians as volunteer music tutors and mentors. Through our weekly program at our partner schools, tutors lead individual music lessons and play with students in music ensembles. We also provide instruments to participants and transportation where needed.
Students showcase their new skills by performing in several recitals each year. In addition, SMP is dedicated to partnering with school staff to bring music enrichment programs into the schools, including hosting touring musicians and arranging for field trips to music performances.
One hundred percent of our funding comes from the generosity of our community – we do not charge students to participate in the program or for the loan of instruments.