Causes: Arts & Culture, Music, Symphony Orchestras

Mission: "Building a home with the power of music to enrich the lives of our students and their community. "

Results: MYAC's response to COVID-19 was resourceful and productive. Over 600 students from 29 states and around the world, participated in tuition-free online programs for multiple age levels, including masterclasses, improvisation, literature, conducting, music history, and theory and aural skills classes in our 2020 on-line Summer Music Staycation music education offerings. With a lot of creativity and determination, we started up in-person rehearsals in mid-August for all our orchestras, chamber music ensembles, jazz combos and big bands. Choral ensembles will start in mid-September, all under health guidelines. Photos on this website are of first rehearsals. We also will put up heavy-duty event tents before choral ensembles begin for more protection from the weather and to lengthen the season until the pandemic situation changes. The tents can also be combined to make a performance venue in the future. Donations to MYAC during this unusual and unprecedented season will go to offset our increased costs to make the season happen in-person, something students needed after so much on-line learning.

Target demographics: children and young adults learn life skills through performance in music ensembles

Direct beneficiaries per year: almost 1,000 students

Geographic areas served: 84 Communities in Illinois, Wisconsin & Indiana

Programs: Orchestra, Jazz Combos & Ensembles, Big Band, Chamber Ensembles, Early Childhood Music & Movement, Choral Ensembles and Music Theory classes.