Fundraising for the Meta Music Scholarship Program

I’ve written on this blog before about how much I love connecting with students and musicians at Meta Music Education. Last year, one of my primary involvements at the school involved the program’s collaboration with Los Niños Primero, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization empowering Latino students and families. One day, another instructor at Meta Music had presented me with a sedimented drum kit he had been working with, and had given me the opportunity to restore the set so we could award it to a deserving student–one of the Niños. Many of the children we taught through the program did not have instruments to practice at home with. I decided to dedicate my time over the winter holidays to raising money for the Meta Music Scholarship Program, which supports students by funding collaborations with Los Niños Primero and supporting several other community music programs. Meta Music is also involved with several other philanthropic endeavors including supporting Ian’s Friends Foundation, which funds research to cure pediatric brain tumors. 

I raised money through three avenues: selling holiday gift bags, hosting a garage sale, and accepting donations. I constructed these goody bags by hand, and they all included jingle bells, Starbursts, Hershey’s kisses, guitar and note-shaped cookies, and glow sticks for the New Year. At the garage sale, I was able to generate funds by selling old clothing, records, and CDs. The holiday spirit swelled at community gatherings where we sold the bags and advertised the garage sale. Ultimately, I was able to raise nearly $1,200 with sales and gracious donations. 

I also interviewed Ms. Liz Costello (General Manager at Meta Music Education), to learn more about Los Niños Primero, how Meta Music’s work with the program came to be, and what improvements she sees can be made.

Rishi: How did the collaboration with Los Niños Primero originally come about?

Adam (Founder at Meta Music) and Maritza Morelli (Executive Director at Los Niños Primero) were in Sandy Springs leadership together and she presented on an Education Day. Once Adam knew what she was involved with, he introduced himself. A few months later, she was given a grant by Sandy Springs for an education initiative program, and she contacted Adam because she decided that she wanted to use those funds for the music program.

Rishi: What are some of the strongest difficulties you face in running the program?

Lack of funding. If we could help 50 students, we would. We have to try really hard to work between what the school can afford and the grants that are provided by the city of Sandy Springs. We cut our costs for the program as low as possible so that we don’t profit off the students but are still able to pay our teachers. Limited funding only allows us to work with about ten students a semester. 

In addition to funding, communication and transportation have also become points of difficulty. Many of the parents don’t speak English at all, so when we are coordinating schedules or getting ready for a performance, sometimes we’re just directly communicating with nine-year-olds.

Rishi: What are some of the obstacles that children who come to the program face?

Getting here consistently. A lot of our students in that program either needed a carpool or to take a taxi with a parent. Having reliable transportation with some of the families is an issue because it is simply really inconvenient.

Being a kid is hard enough. No matter who you are or where you’re from. Here, it felt like a small group of those kids felt comfortable to be a spotty English speaker. It felt like a small group of those kids felt more comfortable in their own identity. 

Rishi: Over the time the Niños have been with Meta Music, what are some of the changes you have had to make to the program and how it’s structured? 

In the beginning, I don’t think we really knew what to expect as we didn’t know the children coming in nor if anyone had any previous experience with music. Once we learned the kids, their experiences, what kinda genres they listen to, we could separate them into groups so that students in one path could keep their momentum. Kids who were more reserved or moving at a slower pace were able to have their own environment as well. Everybody was able to get what they needed. Once we had our first successful semester, we implemented progress reports, tracking what these students were learning and retaining. Understanding what they came here knowing and how they progressed in several different areas was integral to helping us structure the lessons and focuses of the next semester. 

Rishi: What can students and the youth do to amplify the impacts of music in their own communities?

Share their gift and share their love of music. Regardless of what kind of music anybody likes. Regardless of what anybody's previous experience with music has been. Music is the universal language and I think when we can focus more of our attention on things that unite us, it helps us with everything else across the board. Get up on karaoke and sing that song that you love. And if you have a new goal, it’s never too late to get started.

It is never too late to get started. When I first started working at Meta Music, Ms. Costello gave me that piece of advice, and I truly feel it is crucial–especially within the arts. Being excited to explore, build things, and connect with people is part of what makes music so engaging. I am so happy I was able to raise funds for the Meta Music Scholarship Program, and I am beyond grateful for the community Meta Music Education has immersed me into.

Thank you Mr. Adam Carder, Ms. Elizabeth Costello, and Mr. Taylor Haas for all your help and the work you do at Meta Music Education!