Our Mission . . .
Our Vision
Today, thousands of India’s youth are growing up in difficult circumstances including poverty, social isolation and widening educational and economic disparities. Many struggle with hopelessness for a better future.
Teen mental health has become a global pandemic.
“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
Songrise International (formerly Music Camp International) helps young people around the world discover and develop their dignity and unlock their potential — all through the power of music. Our programs are built on a simple but powerful truth:
Making music with other people helps build confidence and connect communities.
We see a world where every young person, regardless of personal history, stands tall with dignity and self-confidence, is prepared to face life’s challenges with resilience and strength and is poised to chase their dreams. We see making music together as a bridge – a universal experience that connects and empowers them to overcome the challenges that keep people apart.
Our Strategy
Our programs bring this vision to life by reaching young people in schools, orphanages, comunity centers, and even the slums. We work across social, economic, political, ethnic, religious, and geographic boundaries to create a sense of belonging—one big family, united through music and shared humanity.
And we collaborate with local partners who have earned respect and support from local communities, businesses, associations and government recognition - combining our strengths to make the greatest impact and benefits for those in need.
We teach entire classes with up to 20 students. We also have Micro Music Hubs of 5 or 6 students - and we can teach up to 4 Hubs at a time. In some cases the Hubs are international. Students send in selfies and a virtual concert is created as a memoy for a lifetime!
Our Impact
Making music builds confidence, connects communities, and advances academic performance.
We’ve seen these results firsthand. Since 2001, through our Music Camps and after-school Musedics programs, we’ve reached more than 40,000 young people—helping them discover and develop their potential and imagine new possibilities for their future.
Here’s what the research and our experience show:
• Music supports social and emotional wellness.
• Music facilitates and accelerates academic achievement
• Music strengthens resilience and fosters social bonds.
• Music builds bridges across social, economic, political, and cultural di- vides.
• Music engages all eight regions of the brain—boosting cognitive development, enhancing memory, and improving sensory-motor coordination.
• Participating in music supports mental health and emotional regulation.
• When young people connect through music, prejudice fades and empathy grows.
But our work is far from finished.
The Need
Since September 2021, we have worked in four orphanages in India - two in New Delhi and two in Lucknow - transforming lives through the power of music. Several of our students have discovered their potential, and are now university students.
We are now ready to expand into Chandigarh. We have established local partners who will provide the facilities and the young people, but we need to install internet capability and IT equipment into the community center where we will hold the classes. And we need to purchase instruments and recruit team members to be our “boots on the ground” for each location. This will enable us to reach a capacity of almost 100 students weekly.
Start-up Costs: To return to 4 orphanages and launch our program in 2 new locations
• 15 classical student guitars - approximate cost is $200 each $3000
• 30 YRS Soprano Recorders - approximate cost is $15 each $ 500
• 8 student violins - aproximate cost is $350 each $2800
• Internet, Mac mini, monitor, camera and microphone $3,000
• Total costs to continue current locations and expand with two more $9300 - $10,000 locations
• Operating costs per semester: Teachers & program administrator $7,500
