A CASE FOR SUPPORT
Transforming Lives Through the Power of Music
A Prospectus for a Business Consortium for Advocacy and Social Transformation Through Music for the Youth of India
Prepared by Connie Fortunato, Founder and President
January 2025
A CASE FOR SUPPORT OUR
MISSION
Transforming Lives Through the Power of Music!
Musedics International began in September 2021 in response to a global mental health crisis that resulted from the pandemic. Isolation, hopelessness and despair threatened youth in every part of the world. The mission of Musedics International is social transformation through the power of music. It is designed to be an afterschool program - meeting twice each week to provide both choral and instrumental ensemble experience for young people. Both “on-location” and virtual programs are available, depending on the specific geography. Musedics is synchronous and interactive providing innovative opportunities for social interacation, educational support, and leadership development. Our focus is to inspire young people to become responsible, compassionate citizens.
Musedics International is a division of Canticum Novum International a 501 (c)(3) registered non-profit, which began its program of social transformation in Romania in 2002, giving children dignity, hope, and self-confidence through the gift of music.
By working across all social, economic, political, and religious barriers, children have been inspired to set high goals and work together to achieve more than any child can achieve alone. As each child discovers the “music within,” they develop discipline, focus, mutual respect, and the realization that true greatness lies within. A sense of social compassion and responsibility is born. Currently Musedics alumni are now university students, studying pharmacology, technology. and medicine.
Our innovative approach is based on the following core values:
• All young people have music inside - every child is talented;
• Every child has the ability to learn;
• Children learn and respond better with encouragement rather than with criticism;
• Education is more than transmitting information. It requires inspiration and compassion. These qualities are transmitted best through modeling and mentoring.
OUR MOTIVATION
“In ensemble music the children learn compassion, empathy, discipline, languages, and history. Music is at the core of who we are.”
Eric Whitacre
“In some ways, music is the science of the soul. It is the science of the inner life.”
YoYo Ma
When children are given the support and motivation they need to succeed, they see their own education as the best possible option. When peer movement turns upward instead of spiraling downward, opportunities for leadership development become an integral part of life patterns. As communities begin to develop their own leaders, social transformation emerges from within, rather than being imposed from without.
Musedics is not a “project” with a start and stop date. Instead, it is an ongoing program designed to see a child through graduation from high school. It needs to acquire long-term funding. The objective to enlist a consortium of local, national, international, and global corporations who are socially conscious, and share our core values and commitment to build a better future for all our children is essential for sustainability, perpetuity, and replicability.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
CURRENTLY
4 orphanages
8 classes (2 in each location)
40 students ages 12 - 18
PROPOSED
8 orphanages
16 classes (2 in each location)
160 students ages 12 - 18
OUTCOMES
Musedics has done projects in India - beginning in 2021 with an international virtual Music Camp which included students from India, Romania, Ukraine, Kenya, and the USA. Today, a graduate of that Camp is completing her university studies in pharmacology, and returning twice weekly to an orphange where we work with marginalized boys. She supervises the classes - and gives back to others what was given to her.
In 2021 we began regular Musedics classes in Snehalaya, New Delhi. Today, some of those young ladies are university students studying computer science and medicine - returning to the orphanage two times each week to help and encourage the young residents. Our graduates understand well that their lives were transformed through the power of music - and are giving back to others that same transforming power that was given to them.
A CONSORTIUM OF BUSINESSES
Canticum Novum International and Musedics International are forming a Consortium of local, national, and international corporations and businesses to address the funding challenges of this international initiative. The design of the consortium is to build bridges of support and involvement between education, social services, the corporate sector, and Musedics International - with the goal to provide the necesssry instruments, equipment and teaching resources for youth advocacy by implementing responsible, innovative and sustainable programs.
Some of our partners in other countries include:
A Business Consortium would provide both startup costs for new locations (instruments, technology, equipment, and room renovation), as well as ongoing support for teachers, class supervisors and curriculum. Additional support and sponsorships could be provided by individuals, community associations, and local businesses. We would particurly welcome a corporate sponsorship from the Yamaha Corporation to help provide the necessary instruments for our progam.
NEEDED FOR INDIA
We need to raise $150,000 for India - to develop the structure and programming that will lift marginalized and underserved youth out of their compromised situation, and establish them on a solid path to success and significance. Musedics is currently being held in 4 locations. We would like to add 4 more in 2025, and additional orphanages in subsequent years. Our capacity would grow to eight orphanages with 2 Micro Music Hubs each for a capacity of 160 students by September 2025.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT - 7 locations (3 CURRENT + 4 NEW)
Room renovation at 7 orphanages (1 is already completed) @$5,000 each
$35,000
8 MacMinis + cameras + microphones @ $3,000 each $ $24,000
Furniture - including storage closets for instruments, chairs, music stands @$500 each $ 4,000
Stable internet connection (upgrade) and connection/usage fees $ 7,000
TOTAL - FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT $70,000
INSTRUMENTS
48 classical student guitars and hard cases @ $200 each $ 9,600
48 student violins, rosin, bow, and case @ $300 each $14,400
30 Baroque soprano recorders @ $25 each $ 750
30 Baroque alto recorders @$55 each $ 1,650
30 Baroque tenor recorders @ $75 each $ 2,250
TOTAL INSTRUMENT COST $28,650
TOTAL STARTUP COSTS
4 new orphnages + 3 currently enrolled that need intruments, IT equipment, and facility renovation $98,650
PERSONNEL
5 teachers - 2 violin; 2 guitar; 1 choir = 12 hours of instruction/ week @ $100/hour (includes teacher training and certification)
Each semester is 13 weeks - or 156 total hours of class instruction $15,600
1 Program Administrator - 156 hours @ $25 per hour $ 3,900
Office overhead - 15% $13,500
SUSTAINING COSTS PER YEAR (2 SEMESTERS) $66,000
AMOUNT NEEDED FOR FIRST YEAR PROPOSAL $131,650
VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://canticumnovuminternational.org/musedics/#Program
CONTACT US: INTERNATIONAL OFFICE - USA P.O. Box 66629 Scotts Valley, CA 95067-6629 connie@musiccampinternational.org 831-425-3600
https://issuu.com/musiccampinternational/docs/musedics_brochure_june_2021
VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
https://www.facebook.com/musedics
https://www.facebook.com/MusicCampInternational
Instagram: Music Camp International
Instagram: Canticum Novum International
LinkedIn: Canticum Novum International
