UPDATE: June 1, 2012 – I am on the board of a non-profit organization called the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Our primary mission is to bring music & arts into the lives of “at risk” children from families who cannot afford it or do not go to a school that provides it. PCM (as they are known) has a teaching staff of 25 highly qualified local teachers (who are also top musicians) who teach approx 25 different music related courses primarily to school children in facilities throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. These lessons are generally done in small groups in after-school programs and are at virtually no cost to the student. Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM as they are known) is funded by various local, gov’t, and other grants and has been a well respected organization here in the valley for over 12 years.
Currently, PCM teaches percussion, dance, singing, piano, keyboard, guitar, violin, and a number of other music courses to over 2500 kids of all ages (and some adults). In these hard economic times I believe that kids suffer as much or even more when it comes to getting good quality life experiences. City & school services and programs have been shut down and so many kids and senior adults are negatively affected. And what is life without music and having the opportunity to get personally involved in music is, in my opinion, so important. It should be readily available to our young people and others because playing, singing, or dancing to music is a positive outlet and few other things can take the place of that. Without the availability of music lessons and instruments that I could play when I was a younger person, I would not be where I am today mentally, spiritually, and socially.
Therefore I believe we need to do everything we can to give kids, senior retired adults and working adults the opportunity to experience the joy of music and without the burden of much expense. Nothing comes “cheap” these days but PCM is doing everything we can to make music participation happen for thousands of local people at little or no cost. Our teachers donate a lot of their time (although we do pay them for their regular teaching), the board and other PCM members donate their time in community outreach, but the results are worth the effort. When you see the smiling faces on these kids and adults who are learning to play piano and other instruments in fun and challenging ways, it makes it all worth while.
Playing music or singing and dancing to music is one of the best ways for a person to express themselves. Why do you think these music reality shows are so popular such as America’s got Talent, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, or other similar shows? It’s because we all love music & the arts in some form or another. That’s the way we are made so PCM strives to give children a fighting chance to experience these things for themselves and to make a difference in their lives when their lives might otherwise be uneventful and full of fear, boredom, or depression.
By the way, PCM is also in partnership with another local non-profit who collects and gives away at no charge, thousands of used musical instruments to schools throughout the area so that students do not have to rent or buy an instrument when it comes time to take lessons or play in their school band. It’s an amazing program and has impacted schools here in tremendous ways. I don’t know about what’s going on like this in your area, but I hope you have some dedicated organizations like we have here in Arizona who are making a noticeable impact on the lives of people in their communities when it comes to music.
If you want to help PCM help these thousands of young (and older) students in our many PCM programs, we accept private & corporate donations too:) Just contact me for more information or go to the following link for the PCM website:
And when it comes to learning on a piano for kids and adults, the Casio PX330 and AP620 (left pic below) digital are great, lower priced pianos for the home or to take with you. They are very nice instruments for their low prices and help the student by providing educational features to improve piano practice and playing. You can check out the following articles about them from my blog by going to the links below:
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-new-casio-celviano-ap620-piano-is.html
