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Music Learning and Olympic Excellence

 

 

04-01-2026

Many of us were absorbed in watching the extraordinary performances at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

New Report Measures Long-Term Impact of Youth Community Arts Programs

 

 

04-01-2026

A new report from The Wallace Foundation, “Creative Expression, Caring Relationships, and Career Pathways: A Guide to Youth Outcomes in Community Arts Programs,” identifies the long-term benefits of these programs.

Cities Celebrate Bach

 

 

04-01-2026

On March 21, Luxembourg City celebrated Bach’s 341st birthday with the 16th year of Bach in the Subways—52 free performances of his music in 21 venues, including arts venues, shops, restaurants, and bookstores.

Open Call for Europe-Based Creatives: PartArt4OW

 

 

03-04-2026

PartArt4OW has launched its third call for cross-disciplinary projects that help build a sustainable “blue economy” across Europe.

Free Report: Complexity Thinking is Changing Music Education

 

 

03-04-2026

For those interested in theoretical perspectives on music education, a new research report proposes that complexity thinking is changing approaches to music education.

Free Guide for Artists Working in Humanitarian Care

 

 

03-04-2026

The Jameel Arts & Health Lab have published a free guide for artists working in local and international humanitarian settings, outlining how creative practices can support preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

EDITORIAL
Playing in the Same Key: Aligning Purpose and Practice for Students

Fiona Cunningham, Director, Academy for Impact through Music

03-04-2026

“What’s the biggest thing keeping you up at night, as a leader or as a teaching artist?”

When Nikoletta Polydorou, founder of Sistema Cyprus, recently posed this question to music-for-social-action leaders and teaching artists across different countries and contexts, one concern surfaced repeatedly: when a program’s purpose isn’t clear, and collectively owned, the learning is less focused and effective.

Violin Included: Reflections on Leadership, Giving, and Growing Up in This Field

Elizabeth Moulthrop, Executive Director, El Sistema USA

03-04-2026

Last week, I found myself in Union City, New Jersey, USA, sitting in a sea of students, violin in hand, playing “Swan Lake” alongside kids, teachers, and my longtime colleague Melina Garcia. I hadn’t come to visit Melina and her program, the United Children’s Music Project simply for the joy of playing with young people; I was there to deliver a donation. I had just closed a similar program in Pisco, Peru—Notes for Change, Inc.—that I founded 15 years ago, and my donation for UCMP consisted of the final funds from that program. I had expected this to be a bittersweet moment; instead, it felt like a full-circle one. But more about that later.

ESUSA Awarded $1 Million Gift for Summer Programs

 

 

03-04-2026

A $1 million donation from the Peter Compo and Carol Larson Gift Fund will support 15 El Sistema USA member organizations in delivering summer youth programs as part of ESUSA’s Summer Now! initiative.

Music Matters Challenge Open to U.S. Musicians and School Music Programs

 

 

03-04-2026

The Music Matters Challenge is inviting U.S. musicians and schools to enter submissions to win cash prizes aimed at supporting school music programming and salaries for music teachers.

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