The concept of an Academy – educating Savannah youth – has actually been a mission of ours since the birth of our organization.  How could we best give back to Savannah, and what angle could we take to have the largest impact on the Coastal Empire? Changing the world is a difficult task when you take on everyone at once.  So instead, we’re going to focus on one child at a time.

Use your imagination. Envision little music conservatories – located in the heart of many of Savannah’s underserved communities.  I want you to imagine kids attending these little music academies EVERY DAY after school for 3-4 hours completely free of charge.  In addition to being fed and given the opportunity to do their homework, these kids will receive some of the best music education found in the region.  The students will concentrate on instrumental studies, theory, harmony, and will perform regularly throughout Savannah.

Our goal as an organization is not to crank out more musicians.  Honestly, there are plenty of us.  Our goal is to use music as a tool to mold better, extraordinary citizens. With the aid of music and musical training, the sky is the limit when it comes to the opportunities and the doors that will open because of are participants’ experiences at the P440 Academy.

Impossible?   It’s already happening.  In Venezuela is El Sistema , a nationwide music program that has saved a number of youths and is now producing some of the best musicians in the classical music industry.  Click here to watch a video about El Sistema (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4011959n).

Excited?  We are.  Stay tuned for announcements regarding the details of this exciting endeavor.

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