WHY PLAY IT FORWARD?
Play It Forward is a win/win/win. Students receive private lesson scholarships, the community receives dedicated volunteers, and donors get to see their contributions make double the difference. Watch our introductory video to learn more, and read about the benefits below:
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1. AUTONOMY - motivated students whose families lack the financial means for lessons are given the autonomy to obtain lessons for themselves.
2. ACCOUNTABILITY - Students who pay for their own lessons are often more committed to the lessons. They also develop a relationship with and responsibility to the organization for which they choose to volunteer. 3. DRIVE - this program ensures that the scholarship lessons are reserved for, and available to, the most motivated students. Apart from getting the most out of lessons, these students are likely to make a significant impact on their communities as they “pay it forward.” 4. COMMITMENT - students learn the value of a long-term commitment with a volunteer organization and the real impact this has on the lives of others as well as themselves. 5. EXPERIENCE - students who show a long-term commitment to both a volunteer organization and music lessons enter college with a track record of discipline, reliability and growth, along with significant work experience in an area that is of interest to them and, often, a mindset of innovation. They also gain a perspective outside that of the typical high school world. |
1. EXPONENTIAL IMPACT - it’s well documented that students who study music perform better academically and are more likely to succeed in any career field they choose. Scholarship lessons ensure that private lessons are available to motivated students regardless of financial status. When lessons operate on a “pay it forward” system, the benefit reaches beyond the student receiving the scholarship to impact the community through their volunteer work.
2. CONNECTION - connecting youth with volunteer organizations builds awareness in them of needs that exists “out there” while fostering relationships of friendship and respect between the students, members of their local community, and the agencies that serve those in need where they live. Students also build lasting connects with their teachers, who foster growth and development throughout their adolescent years. 3. DEPENDABILITY - many music students take lessons for five years or more. Volunteer organizations develop long-term relationships with their student volunteers and with our organization. These relationships provide a potential continuing resource for volunteer support as new students and teachers engage this program. 4. GOOD CITIZENS - PIF students are developing citizenship as well as musicianship, positioning them to be active contributors to the community as adults. |
