Jchoice.Org

For 27 years Project STEP has addressed the under-representation of Blacks and Latinos in orchestras and on music faculties. We are committed to changing the make-up of orchestras so that they reflect the diverse cities and towns in which they perform. We begin by identifying kindergarten aged Black and Latino children who have exceptional musical talent, and who would not have the resources for, or access to, a music education that would develop their talent and prepare them for careers in music. The first class covers the basics: melody, rhythm, and pitch.  Those who are motivated begin the core training program in string instruments, including weekly private lessons, theory classes, and ensembles. The program accelerates as they progress, adding orchestra, piano lessons to give a grounding on the keyboard, master classes, and tickets to several performances each year. There is a practical reason STEP focuses on stringed instruments: they offer more opportunity, since string sections in orchestras and on faculties employ more string players than other instrumentalists.   

Through a comprehensive program that addresses the needs of each individual student, Project STEP offers an unmatched combination of instruction, performance opportunities and career counseling that reflects the unique capabilities of the students in partnership with the staff, faculty, board, and our relationships with the New England Conservatory and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Project STEP currently supports more than 80 students in its Kindergarten program, and 47 students in its intensive training program. Students range from age 5-18 and come from the Greater Boston area, with the majority residing in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. To date, every Project STEP graduate has gone on to college or conservatory; 61% of our graduates are currently professional musicians. 

One of the great orchestras of the world, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was the catalyst for getting Project STEP started in 1982. In the beginning there were several Trustees of the BSO who assisted in fundraising and setting up the organization, securing three years of funds to admit twelve students of varying ages. One man, Irving Rabb, tells of his experience as one of the only Jews at Harvard in the late 1930’s, and how he was excluded from some of the activities, including a music club. He supported launching Project STEP knowing that Jews are now well-represented in orchestras, but Blacks and Latinos are not. Louis Krasner, a renowned violinist of the era, helped determine the criteria for accepting students, and the extent of the programs that were necessary to really prepare students ultimately to compete in auditions for symphonies. The students had little or no musical background or family support. 

Most musicians in orchestras come from musical families – they grow up steeped in music, and their parents value music instruction and education highly. Many students in Project STEP came with years of experience singing in church, which was helpful in developing their ears and their sense of rhythm. But those who succeed in classical music have talent and, equally necessary, many years of daily practice, weekly lessons with the best teachers, theory classes, hearing great artists perform to develop standards, master classes to withstand feedback on performance in a public setting, a grounding in piano even for string players, experience in chamber music and orchestras. They are always encouraged – really pushed – to do their very best. This was the environment Project STEP created for its students.

To date, every Project STEP graduate has gone on to college or conservatory. In most cases, they are the first in their families to do so. Project STEP shows that given the best opportunities and careful nurturance, these Black and Latino students will reach the heights of achievement. They are breaking traditional barriers. They are at home in two bastions of classical music, the New England Conservatory and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. And they are among the best informed audience members.

Project STEP identifies musically talented minority students who do not have ready access to the best available music training in order to: 

·  Address the under-representation of musicians of color in the classical music profession by preparing them to compete and succeed in classical music

·   Change the lives of talented minority students using music to develop skills such as discipline, perseverance, poise, and proficiency on a stringed instrument.

·    Demonstrate to all aspiring young musicians that the classical music profession is open to any gifted, well-trained and disciplined performer, regardless of racial or ethnic background.

Project STEP is a comprehensive, professional quality program that addresses the multiple needs of each individual student. 

Name of Organization:Project STEP
Number of Paid Staff:3
Number of Volunteers:7
Total Organizational Expenses:$399,726
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:30%

Project STEP is in business to add color to classical music, and to introduce musically talented minorities of color to the Western classical music tradition. Our mission is two fold: To identify musically talented Black and Latino (the least represented minorities in orchestras) who have talent and give them the opportunity to reach their potential, and to change the make up of the classical music world. There are a number of music schools in and around Boston, some that focus on giving students experiences in jazz, some classical orchestras, some the Suzuki method. A few take place at conservatories such as Longy and the New England Conservatory. Project STEP is unique in its expectations of its students, and in the breadth and depth of access, instruction, experience and support given to each student, with the goal of helping them reach their full potential in music.    

“Project STEP delivers, especially in one area – high expectations for the children. That’s the key. They have very high expectations of the children academically and musically, and they won’t accept anything less. It shows that Black and Latino children, when given the opportunity, can beat the odds.”

–Yvonne Brooks, mother of three Project STEP students ("The Grevious Trio")

Success story: There are many successes, including the fact that every STEP graduate has gone on to college. But our most recent one is Tony Rymer, who graduated from STEP in 2007: Tony just won First Place in the national Sphinx String Competition. At the age of 19, Tony, a sophomore at the New England Conservatory, now has professional management; he has requests from six symphonies to solo with them; he will have a professional CD made and released under the Naxos label; and he won a cash prize. He is already scheduling performances with the Atlanta, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New Jersey Symphony Orchestras. Tony auditioned into STEP at age 6 and received 12 years of music training from Project STEP, graduating to the New England Conservatory at age 18. 

 

Arts
Diversity
Justice and Fairness
Learning
Role Model
Spirituality

1. Invite a group of STEP students to your synagogue’s Purim celebration or a Hanukah party to help them learn Jewish stories and traditions. STEP teens could add to the festivities by playing a short piece. 

2. Invite STEP students for a casual sight-reading evening, where twelve or more kids can jam easy pieces and eat pizza together. We have space available for this purpose in the basement of Symphony Hall – many practice rooms and a lounge for eating. Some of our most advanced kids have done this and loved it – it’s low key, fun, and breaks barriers. The younger students should have a chance too – no pressure, all fun, reading through some easy music.

 

Name:Mary S. Jaffee
Title:Executive Director
Address:301 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02115 United States
Telephone:617-267-5777
Email:marysjaffee@projectstep.org
Website:www.projectstep.org