PATERSON, NJ – The Paterson Music Project (PMP) has announced that it has launched a new partnership with the John P. Holland Charter School to serve 230 students with specialized music instruction.

Through this new initiative, PMP teaching artists will provide general music classes to 172 students in grades one through two once a week during the school day. They will also provide after school instruction in violin, cello, clarinet and saxophone to 64 students in grades three through eight three times per week.

“Having a music program in our school will help build both confidence and creativity in our students,“ John P. Holland Charter School Principal, Dr. Heru Keonte said. “The Paterson Music Project can help them realize their unlimited potential.”

PMP launched its first site at the Community Charter School of Paterson in January 2013 with 32 second-graders and has since added a new class of students each year. Currently, PMP hosts a central music site at Paterson School 16 and students from over 15 public schools study music after school and on weekends at this central site. PMP serves over 350 students in grades one through 12 citywide.

The Project also provides tuition-free musical training to students throughout Paterson after school and on weekends with students studying a primary instrument and participating in ensemble practice, instrumental sectionals and private lessons three times per week. Students also get to perform frequently for the community.

“This is an opportunity for more students from Paterson to have access to high quality musical training and extracurricular activities,” Elizabeth Moulthrop, Director of the Paterson Music Project said. “The students are so excited to get started on their instruments. They were beaming with joy and anticipation on the first day of class as they tried out different instruments and chose the one they wanted to study for the year.

Original Article from TapIntoPaterson.