When you think of Thanksgiving you probably fall into one of two camps of Americans. Either you immediately think about eating or shopping. Shopping for Christmas on Black Friday and Cyber Monday has become just as synonymous with Thanksgiving as turkey. Six years ago, someone had the brilliant idea to not darken the holiday of “thanks” with gluttony at the mall, but by actually giving back to our communities. It’s a simple idea that has been amplified by social media. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that is powered by the strength of people coming together and collaborating.
You can participate in Giving Tuesday as an individual, group, organization or corporation. And the holiday season is really about showing the best of the human spirit. That means you just don’t have to give or volunteer today, you can do it now until the end of the year. Someone said, “It’s better to give than to receive.” Didn’t they? I’m passionate about music for many reasons. One of them is my mother and father made sure I was well-rounded by being in band, playing the piano and even attending art camp during the summer. Yes, I was a spoiled nerd. I am now a grateful nerd because I know the positive impact the arts can have on a child’s overall learning experience and life.
The arts in public schools are losing funding and so are other programs. To continue shaping the minds of our country’s children, we need to support arts program. By doing that, we support the creativity of children. And with that, anything is possible for their futures. Below are a few official and non-official Giving Tuesday music oriented organizations that you can support today.
Afro American Music Institute (Pennsylvania, PA – Nonprofit)
Allegro School of Music (Nashville, TN – Nonprofit)
Founded in 1997, Allegro School of Music is a ministry of Inglewood Baptist Church established to provide an opportunity for enhancing musical knowledge and developing musical skills for adults and children in the Nashville area at a reasonable cost. The school is located inside of Inglewood Baptist Church.
Center of Music and Performing Arts – Southwest (Detroit, MI – Nonprofit)
The Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest (COMPÁS) started in 2007 as a collaboration among performing artists in the community and the SDBA. COMPÁS provides year-round, youth focused arts, recreation, and educational opportunities at its professional quality dance studio and renovated facility at the Odd Fellows Building in the Springwells Village neighborhood. COMPÁS provides lessons in various genres of dance, instrumental music, and art with a focus on the rich Latino heritage of SW Detroit.
Do it for the Love (Non-profit)
Do It For The Love is a wish-granting nonprofit organization that brings people living with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges and wounded veterans to live concerts. Through the healing power of music, our goal is to inspire joy, hope and lasting celebratory memories in the face of severe illness or trauma.
Notes for Notes (Nashville, TN Non-profit)
This organization ensures that kids of all socio-economic backgrounds have the opportunity of music education and music industry careers. They set up recording studios inside Boys and Girls Clubs so that the kids who participate in these programs have access to learn, create, and record music for free.
VH1 Save the Music Foundation (Non-profit)
Save the Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring music programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education.
Music helps us feel alive!
Learn more about Giving Tuesday here and find organizations in your area to donate to or volunteer at. Do you have any music organizations to add to the list? Write them in the comments section below. Whether you give or volunteer to one of the above, it’s important that we remember to be more selfless than selfish this holiday season. Tis the season of giving.
