Young Audiences New York’s MELODY – A Fund for Music Education presented by yaNY and Michael Dorff’s FIKS (Fixing Instruments in Kids’ Schools), is founded on the belief that all students benefit from active engagement in instrumental music education, regardless of the student’s or school’s economic means.  MELODY seeks to address the all-too-common scenario of a school music program handicapped by damaged instruments by providing financial support for instrument service or repair. MELODY may additionally provide supplemental music education experiences through residency opportunities with skilled teaching artists in instrumental disciplines.

Awards will be made for either instrument repair or instrument repair with a 12-session instrumental music residency. Please be sure to specify your needs appropriately in your application, as the same application will be used for both funding opportunities. Funding amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will correspond to the needs of your school and student population.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

DEADLINE EXTENDED:
must be postmarked or emailed no later than February 17th, 2012. 

Hard copies of the application may be sent to:

Young Audiences New York
ATTN: MELODY Application
East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022

Applications may be emailed to MELODY@yaNY.org with the subject line “MELODY Application from [insert SCHOOL NAME]” in PDF format.

Awards recipients will be notified no later than March 1st, 2012.

Grant Eligibility and Requirements

Any New York City Public School is eligible to apply for MELODY funds.  Any professional working for schools within New York City may apply on behalf of any school they work with.  Similarly, non-profit organizations, afterschool programs and Parent Teacher Associations are encouraged to apply on behalf of New York City public schools.  Each application must demonstrate a need for instrument service or repair on instruments currently owned by the school. Certain exceptions may apply for schools requesting assistance in the purchase of specific instruments that will complete a pre-existing ensemble.  For example, an application for a cello may be considered if the new cello will complete a string quartet.

Schools may submit applications for instrument repair without a residency component, but applicants must be sure to thoroughly catalogue pre-existing music programming, curricula, and specialists.  We will give preference to these applicants whom demonstrate the ability to provide music instruction with serviced instruments.

Schools that are unable to provide instrumental instruction either independently or through pre-existing cultural partnerships, as well as schools that wish to broaden their musical offerings, are all encouraged to request a music residency component in their application.  Awardees will receive a grant from MELODY that reflects the total cost for both instrument repair and residency programs.  Young Audiences New York will provide skilled teaching artists from our roster to lead these instrumental music residencies.  Schools in receipt of either instrument repair and/or instrumental instruction will be expected to make a contribution for services:

• Schools receiving only instrument repair will be asked to demonstrate ability to instruct students on these instruments either with a full/part time music specialist on staff or a preexisting cultural partnership (either of which will be considered “a contribution for services”).
• Schools receiving 2-4 classes in music residencies will be expected to contribute $1,000 toward programming.
• Schools receiving 5-7 classes in music residencies will be expected to contribute $2,000 toward programming.

Please note that Young Audiences New York (yaNY) is a contracted vendor of the DOE (Vendor code YOU 024). Awardees will be asked to complete a pre-program and/or exit survey related to your student population, student achievement and school arts programming. All programs must serve New York City Public School students, grades K-12. Priority will be given to schools in receipt of Title 1 funding.

Restrictions

All residencies must utilize instruments that have been serviced through the MELODY grant. Schools who apply for instrument repair with a residency component may request repairs on additional instruments that are not part of the intended residency instruction.

Any professional working for schools within New York City may apply on behalf of any school they work with.  Similarly, non-profit organizations, afterschool programs and Parent Teacher Associations are encouraged to apply on behalf of New York City Public Schools.  Awards will not be given to music specialists or other independent organizations. Funded programs and services will only be awarded to their school of affiliation.

Awards will not be made for the reimbursement of expenses or purchases of any kind.  Any necessary purchases must be made through the offices of Young Audiences New York.