Neighborhood Music School
100 Audubon StreetNew HavenCT06510203-624-5189203-772-3566

Program: Hill Outreach Program Year Started: 1976 Focus: Music Youth Served: 45 Ages: 7-18 Budget: $35,000 The Hill Outreach Program of the Neighborhood Music School provides individual lessons in wind, brass and percussion instruments to youth in one of New Haven's poorest communities. All classes are held at the Wesley United Methodist Church, a focal point of the community. In keeping with the School's philosophy of promoting ownership and responsibility, all participants must contribute something to the cost of the lessons, even though it is sometimes as little as $2 per lesson. Classes are taught on Saturdays throughout the school year by professional artists, whose ethnic diversity reflects that of the participants. Ninety percent of the students return year after year to continue their lessons. Families participate by attending student recitals as well as parent/grandparent support meetings that are scheduled during the year. Added benefits of the Program include opportunities to attend field trips and concerts free-of-charge and to participate in ensembles and a summer music camp at the SchoolĖs main branch.