OUTREACH
Music instruction isn’t just about reaching those within our studio walls.
A Child’s Song takes music education to where it is needed most.
Generous donations from our supporters coupled with grant funding enables A Child’s Song to offer specific and targeted music programs throughout our community. Through collaborative partnerships we are able to serve populations that might not otherwise have access to important music programming such as individuals with special needs, financial limitations, emotional troubles or have been displaced or incarcerated.
Our instructors travel with keyboards, drums, guitars, ukuleles and whatever other instruments will help serve those they support. Clients are empowered with a foundational approach to music education, learning first how to play songs by ear, and then how to read music and understand the structure and composition behind each piece.
We currently serve over 250 individuals through outreach programs including:
• Shiloh House (5 locations)
A Child's Song Outreach Programs Highlight Video
Shiloh House
COMMUNITY PARTNER:
“I have had the pleasure of participating and supporting Kristin’s (ACS instructor) drum circle at Sanctuary for the last 6 weeks and wanted to share what I have noticed. Clients at first were very timid, not engaged, and disinterested. Kristin’s beaming positive attitude and passion for music has become contagious. The clients, even the very shy ones, have become leaders in the drum circle. Kristin creates a drum circle that is also a safe space. Clients have come to the group escalated and in negative head spaces, but in just a few minutes their energy is uplifted. Please expand this program to our other locations! Our kids need this!”
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In 2020, A Child’s Song began partnering with Shiloh House, a local nonprofit that provides foster care, therapy, and educational services for displaced youth. Shiloh connected with ACS because they wanted to bring the hope and joy of music to the youth in their care. Together we chose the World Drumming Program as a starting point because of drumming’s accessibility and cultural importance. The curriculum focuses on drumming, singing, and movement in the style of the music of West Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean—and everyone from the youth involved to Shiloh instructors and staff have been mesmerized by the program.
Prior to the implementation of Shiloh’s World Drumming Program, there were no music education or music therapy programs for youth in out-of-home placement or foster care in Adams County. Foster youth in other parts of the country, however, had thrived in music programs for years. Shiloh House and ACS were determined to create an accessible, compelling program that would engage foster youth on day one and keep their interest throughout the year. World Drumming has done just that and is authentically changing the spirit and connectedness of youth in these foster care locations.
ACS instructor Kristin Orlando shared a story about two Shiloh House students who ran away, only to return right before the start of the World Drumming class. After dealing with police, these students ran into the classroom and vented to the group about their experiences because they felt safe in this drum circle of respect and equality. One student even nervously dropped his drum during this class and cried out in fear. Kristin asked him to pick up the drum and strike it. He did. “See,” she said, “The drum still works fine—it’s had trauma just like you, but it still works and will continue to work and deliver great sounds…just like you.” This distressed student returned to the drum circle and completed the class calmly.
The Shiloh World Drumming Program has expanded each year since, and now serves over 120 foster youth in five Shiloh locations. ACS hopes to continue to expand the program each year as possible.
