The Lewis Prize for Music, a $500,000 grant supporting the creation of fair and vibrant communities through music, has selected Philadelphia based nonprofit Project 440 as one of ten inaugural finalists for their work in music education. The mission of the Lewis Prize is to partner with leaders who create positive change by investing in young people through music. We believe young people with access to high-quality music learning, performance and creation opportunities will mature into thriving individuals. The national search included 187 organizations and was established by philanthropist and social impact investor Daniel R. Lewis to resource champions and leaders of music programs and projects to create more fair and vibrant communities. In addition to Project 440 being selected as a finalist, the esteemed Founder and Executive Director, Joseph Conyers, is being recognized for the services he and Project 440 provide for the City of Philadelphia.
Joseph H. Conyers was appointed assistant principal bassist of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2010 after tenures with the Atlanta Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and Grand Rapids Symphony where he served as principal bass. He has served as acting associate principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2017. A formidable advocate for music education, he is also the music director of the school district of Philadelphia’s All City Orchestra.
Project 440 helps young people use their interest in music to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in their community. Through its four core programs—Doing Good, Instruments for Success, the College Fair for Musicians, and the Youth Advisory Council—Project 440 connects with Philadelphia students to provide the skills and tools necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Joseph Conyers shared the following: “We are elated to be selected as a finalist for the inaugural Lewis Prize. To be recognized for our work in music education among such laudable peers across the country is humbling. Our team at Project 440 has developed a unique approach to music education through a comprehensive creative youth development curriculum. We are proud of the many accomplishments of our students and are thrilled to have those accomplishments recognized by the Lewis Prize. A hearty congratulations to all the other finalists; we are inspired by your determination to make a difference in the lives of children through music. Bravi, tutti!”
ABOUT PROJECT 440:
Project 440 engages, educates and inspires young musicians, providing them with the career and life skills they need to develop into tomorrow's civic-minded, entrepreneurial leaders. Project 440 refers to the 440Hz "tuning A" of an orchestra. Just as the oboe leads an orchestra with the 440 Hz pitch, Project 440 students are learning to be 21st Century leaders. For more information on Project 440, visit www.project440.org.
ABOUT THE LEWIS PRIZE:
The mission of the Lewis Prize is to partner with leaders who create positive change by investing in young people through music. We believe young people with access to high-quality music learning, performance and creation opportunities will mature into thriving individuals. Our vision is for every young person, regardless of who they are or where they live, to have the opportunity to access music programs from a young age. We aim to do this by finding and awarding ambitious leaders who are already strengthening young people in their communities through rigorous and diverse music programs. For more information on the Lewis Prize, visit www.thelewisprize.org.
