#GivingTuesday is just over two weeks away and we couldn't be more excited. Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to remember what we're thankful for. Here at SpreadMusicNow, we're all grateful for music education, and we want every kid to have the opportunity to say the same. So after Thanksgiving is over and you've made it through Black Friday and Cyber Monday, remember to participate in #GivingTuesday, the global day of giving back.

Save the date for Tuesday, November 28th, when ALL donations will be matched, and be the first to see this year's #GivingTuesday page on the SpreadMusicNow website here.

Read on for some of the best music news this month!

Because Science.

We all know about the healing and transformative powers of music; and no doubt, we've experienced it personally. A great song can pull you out of a dark funk or make you reminisce about a different day in time. It can ease a stressed-out mind, bring you to tears, or soothe physical aches and pains. But do we know WHY? This article details scientific studies that substantiate the many effects of music on humans.

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Are All Singers Created Equal?

There's singing, and there's SINGING. Many a vocal music teacher has stressed out over honing their students' vocal and aural abilities. Some have encouraged the "pitch-challenged" students to step back from those that have more evident vocal abilities. But is that a fair approach? Can EVERY kid sing, regardless of talent?

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Practice Like No One's Watching

We've all been there before. We nail that passage, hit that high note, glide through that tricky transition passage with ease and grace, and even take a bow to (imaginary) thunderous applause -- all by ourselves in the practice room. But get us into the classroom with our teacher, and suddenly the playing field has changed.

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Program:
Music Haven

Location:
New Haven, Connecticut

What They Do:
Music Haven empowers and connects young people through exceptional tuition-free music education, mentoring, and performance by resident musicians in the heart of New Haven, giving all kids a chance to play.

At Music Haven, young musicians study with and are mentored by members of the resident ensemble, the Haven String Quartet, or one of their other full-time conservatory-trained professional Resident Musicians, from when they are in first, second, or third grade until they graduate from high school.

Their Impact:
Through donations from generous supporters like you, SpreadMusicNow is able to fund Music Haven and help them to:

• Provide free weekly one-on-one lessons and group classes, including instruments and supplies
• Give all teaching by conservatory-trained professional musicians with master’s degrees
• Offer ensembles, concert trips, workshops and guest artists
• Help their students develop focus and discipline and other non-cognitive skills that research has found are key to long-term academic and career success

To learn more, visit musichaven.org. To support a program like this one, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the SpreadMusicNow fund here. 100% of your donation will go directly to a child's music education.

Save the Date For #GivingTuesday 2017!
November 28, 2017

The Countdown to #GivingTuesday continues! This year, #GivingTuesday, the national day of giving back, takes place on Tuesday, November 28th, and here at SpreadMusicNow, we’re already gearing up. After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, let’s start a new holiday tradition, shall we? One of giving back to music education.

You’ll hear more from us leading up to the big day, but for now, go ahead and mark your calendars for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Every. Single. Dollar. will be matched.

THANK YOU!

A big and grateful thank you to everyone who supported CT Rocks! A Benefit Concert for Music Education on November 4th. Whether you came to the event, donated to our cause, or volunteered to help, we couldn't have done it without you.

We raised $42,500 for music education!

Let's keep the momentum going on #GivingTuesday - Tuesday, November 28th - the global day of giving back. All funds raised will be matched, and 100% of every dollar donated will go straight to a music education program in need.