Music For Minors (MFM) is a nonprofit organization located in Mountain View, California. Founded in 1976, MFM is devoted to keeping music alive in local schools. We provide sequential, standards-based music education programs for children in kindergarten through fourth grade throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Our classes provide children with a variety of musical experiences through hands-on participation in many facets of music, such as singing, movement, theory, dance, musical games, and use of rhythm instruments.

MFM's mission is to nurture in children a lifelong love of music by providing quality music education programs in schools with our trained volunteer and professional educators.

Our goals are to:

In-School Docent Program at Henry Ford

Classroom music teachers for the In-School Docent program form Music For Minors’ primary volunteer group. This highly regarded music education program is taught by MFM-trained volunteer docents to children in grades K through 5 throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. MFM recruits, trains and places volunteer music educators from a variety of cultures, ages and backgrounds.

Benefits

MFM’s In-School Docent Program is a sequential, standards-based music education program. MFM docent-led classes provide children with a variety of musical experiences. They participate in many facets of music, such as singing, movement, theory, dance, musical games, and use of rhythm instruments.

Why it is important?

A growing body of research has shown that exposing children to regular music instruction at an early age develops cognitive and social skills, math, science and reading abilities as well as self-esteem, thereby improving a young child’s quality of life.

Children exposed to music education are more likely to achieve a higher level of education and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse. A quality music program in elementary schools is essential to prepare children for the competitive 21st century global workplace.

Schedule

Trained docents teach a minimum of one 30-minute lesson per week during the school day for a complete school year. Each school year, MFM docents bring music education to thousands of elementary school children.

Location

The MFM In-School Docent Program serves thousands of children in 12 school districts throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Lessons take place in a classroom once a week during the regular school day. Click here for participating schools.

Program Fees

Program fees help cover the cost of providing docent training, classroom support, resource room materials, ongoing education opportunities for docents, and program administration. Program billing to participating schools is done each January. MFM’s goal is to keep program fees as low as possible.

• MFM bills $25 per student, per class, per school year. (e.g., the fee for a class of 20 students is $500 per year).
• Discounts and scholarships are available to schools that can demonstrate financial need such as SWP Title 1 schools. Qualifying schools pay $100 per class, per year.

Music For Minors is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. MFM’s comprehensive music education program is made possible through financial support from program fees, foundation and corporation grants, and community and individual donors.

School Eligibility

Any elementary school in San Mateo or Santa Clara county that has limited resources or lack staff to adequately provide a regular music program in the primary grades is eligible for the MFM In-School Docent Program.

School Requirements

An important responsibility of the participating schools is to support and collaborate with the MFM organization and its docents. Every effort will be made to match available MFM Docents with a participating school’s needs and schedule.

Download a copy of the Principal Agreementand Teacher Agreement.

MFM Commitment

Music For Minors is committed to restoring local elementary school music programs that have been eliminated or are at risk. MFM recruits, screens, trains, places, and supervises docents to teach music in the classroom. MFM partners with docents and school staff to provide weekly, standards-based music instruction to children in participating schools. MFM supports trained docents through ongoing education, organizational events, access to resources and a communication network to enhance their professional skills and effectiveness in the classroom.

MFM’s goal is to develop a musical sensitivity and literacy in children, and to enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of music through participation in a variety of musical experiences.

Volunteer Requirements

Potential docents must be able to carry a tune and preferably have some experience working with groups of children. They must attend and complete the MFM Training Program. At the completion of their training, they serve as a Music Intern and volunteer to teach a minimum of one 30-minute class per week for the remainder of the school year. After successfully completing their internship year, they are encouraged to return as MFM Docents the following school year.