Community Through Music (CTM) is a music enrichment program in NYC public schools that provides folk music, songs and movement to Pre-K-2nd Grade children that are otherwise without an in-school music program. CTM exposes children to folk music from all over the world, which allows them to gain knowledge and appreciation for different musical styles and instruments, as well as encourage group participation. Folk music is the music of the people, and tells the stories of people’s struggles, lives, and communities. These songs speak to the histories of people everywhere and it is one of CTM’s goals to use this music to expose young children to this shared history.
Each class is led by music educator and program co-designer Suzi Shelton who presents finger plays, call and response songs, dances and partnering games based on both traditional folk music and original material. Special guest musicians join the class each week, playing a variety of instruments including the ukulele, banjo, fiddle, guitar, percussion and bass. CTM’s curriculum is carefully constructed and implemented to correspond with a child-based and transdisciplinary approach to learning; this approach operates on the belief that knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and actions transcend subject area boundaries, forging the curriculum into a coherent whole, connected to and engaged with outside learning experiences. The children are given instruments and materials to use such as maracas, rhythm sticks, dancing scarves, hollow tubes and more, allowing for creative expression and fun.
Since its inception in 2016, CTM has grown to include four schools and over 1,000 children. In 2024, CTM hopes to expand to serve a special needs school in Bed Stuy. Classes run for 30-45 minutes, and hold 20-25 students each. Each session lasts for 8-12 weeks, and culminates in a school wide live performance.
This program is created in memory of our friend and mentor Shlomo Pestcoe and his passion for sharing his love of folk music with children of all backgrounds and abilities.
