| Who
we are
MFMII is a non-profit, volunteer organization
providing music enrichment programs in pre-school through elementary
schools in the East San Francisco Bay area of California.
Our People
From 4 volunteer docents in 1988 to 90 in 2007,
MFMII now brings the joy of music to more than 5,000 children in the
Fremont, Newark, and Castro Valley School Districts as well as
pre-school and extended day care centers in the cities of Dublin, Walnut
Creek, and Pleasanton.
A nine-member volunteer board
of directors sets policy and oversees the MFMII program with the
assistance of part-time paid staff: Executive Director, Docent Training
Coordinators, Docent Manager, and Administrative Assistant. Each school
which participates in the program has a liaison that is the contact
person between MFMII and the school.
Our History
In
the fall of 1986, a new organization modeled after Music For Minors –
Los Altos, the mother organization, was started in the East Bay by a
parent who began sharing music in her child’s first grade classroom.
After
recruiting a few volunteers, by mid-1988,
she had acquired a nonprofit status so that a
new organization was incorporated named Music For Minors II.
She presented a piloted MFMII program to Fremont Unified School
district and received seed money from the District and from the Candle
Lighters organization to begin to teach music in the school and to
establish a music resource center with community support. |
What
we do
We nurture a love of music in children
through their active participation and enjoyment, and increase
musical sensitivity and literacy in weekly classroom lessons.
Volunteer Docents
Music For Minors II recruits and
trains community volunteers to serve as music
docents in the schools who teach one-half hour music lessons in
singing, dance and instrumentation during the school year.
Music For Minors II encourages schools to expand their music
programs, but is willing to help fill the void during a time when
schools are facing financial difficulties and often cannot afford to
hire enough music specialists to serve all classrooms on a weekly basis.
Music in the Classroom
Music
For Minors II's curriculum is sequential and age-appropriate and offers
a variety of materials and methods to reach children. It includes
singing, dancing, rhythm activities, creative song writing, playing
rhythm instruments, and music appreciation. Docents prepare
lessons and visual aids so that the youngsters will become totally
involved in the music. |
Helping
children
Children and teachers enthusiastically
welcome MFMII into the classroom. Children are excited to have volunteer
docents who come on a regular basis with
lesson plans. Teachers always remain in the classroom while the
docent is teaching, learning ways to integrate music into their
curriculum.
Local Children
Music For Minors II serves a diverse
community. About 50% of the youngsters served fit the racial/ethnic
description White; 31% are Asian; 12% Latino/Hispanic. More than
20% of these children are from low-income or very-low-income families.
Public Performances
Docents organize school-wide and community
musical performances, which allow youngsters to experience the joy
of performing, and the value of sharing with others in the community.
Music For Minors II also showcases
its students in spring concerts
bringing together schools in several school districts in the program who
perform on local professional stages.
MFMII
also presents Family Music Nights at school sites to provide quality
musical experiences for parents with their children. |
Helping
us
Concerned about the lack of music education in your
elementary schools? With your help and support, we will continue to fill
children's hearts with a love of music and help fill the void of arts
education in the schools.
Become a Volunteer Docent
Docents are
recruited from the community. Current volunteers include parents
and grandparents of students, college students and retired teachers,
seniors, and musicians.. Some volunteers come to us with no formal
music training; others may have masters degrees or other music
credentials. Volunteers who apply for training go through a
screening process, including an individual interview, to determine their
musical ability and experience in working with children.
Attend a Performances
Performances
include holiday and spring concerts and entertainment at PTA functions,
convalescent and retirement homes, and at service club meetings. As well
as our spring showcases each year.
Donate to Us
Make a tax-deductible
donation or provide a grant through your business or organization.
We
also need donations of CDs, equipment and musical instruments.
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