MiC Youth Programs

About

The MiC Youth Program is a 30-40-hour program in which a group of 12 - 15 students work with industry professionals to write, record, and perform a song together. A video of the song is also produced. Each program concludes with a FODfest Community Concert, extending the experience to the community at large. MiC Youth Programs are produced in partnership with high schools, colleges, and community organizations. The program is open to musicians and non-musicians alike.

What Students Learn

The MiC Youth Program provides a unique experiential education for students, focusing on the community-building power of music. Students work with industry professionals to gain hands on knowledge of the creative processes of songwriting, recording, concert production and performance, photography, and videography. Two-thirds of the group work on the music aspect of the program and one-third work on multimedia. The program provides a much-needed outlet for creative expression and requires 100% participation. From this students learn how to exchange ideas with mutual respect, collaborate, and work together towards a common goal. This experience builds confidence in students, equipping them with a sense of accomplishment, self-empowerment, and with valuable life skills that help them constructively manage issues of bullying, social tension, and cultural conflict skills that will guide them now and in the future.

Music Ambassadors & Multimedia Advisors

The MiC Youth Program is lead by a MiC Music Ambassador and a MiC Multimedia Advisor industry professionals and educators with a strong connection to Music In Common. The Music Ambassador and Multimedia Advisor work side by side with a school staff member or community volunteer to recruit students for the program, to oversee scheduling and other logistics, to custom design the curriculum to meet each group's particular needs, and to engage the local community in the program.

Mentoring and Service Learning

The Music Ambassador and Mulimedia Advisor may be assisted by students who have previously completed the MiC Youth Program. This mentoring program offers a fantastic opportunity for service learning for high school and college students. College students who have completed the program have the opportunity to help lead a program at a local high school.

Cultural Exchange

Program videos are shared with MiC Youth Program groups throughout the globe and serve as a tool for cultural exchange between program groups.

Program Success

Read testimonials and press articles about the MiC Youth Program.

Cost

The total cost of one MiC Youth Program is $9,800 plus non-local travel and lodging when applicable. A detailed budget is available upon request or click here to see a breakdown of expenses. Recognizing the general state of school budgets across the country, Music in Common offers financial assistance to schools unable to afford the full cost of the program and will work with partnering schools and community organizations in need of financial assistance to help fund raise for the program. Music in Common requests that schools provide a minimum of 25% of the funding for the program. This investment demonstrates a commitment to the program's success on behalf of the school, which is essential when seeking funding from other sources.

Ways to Raise Money

Raising money for the program empowers the school with a sense of ownership in their MiC Youth Program. In addition to traditional school fundraising activities such as bake sales and raffles, Music in Common has an attractive sponsorship program for local businesses, can assist with setting up a school Kickstarter campaign, organizing phone-a-thons, and can work with the school on grant writing.