Our Mission

The mission of Gifts of Music is to provide students with the opportunity to share in the joy and benefits that come from the study of instrumental music. Too often, children without access to private lessons lose their motivation to achieve their full potential. Through unique public/private collaboration, Gifts of Music affords those students consistent support and instruction in a nurturing environment. Gifts of Music is grateful for the generous and ongoing support of the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust.

Why Gifts of Music?

Although instrumental music is offered in West Hartford Public Schools in fourth grade, a student’s success is often determined by additional lessons provided outside of school. Gifts of Music offers a helping hand to promising young musicians whose families cannot afford private instruction- students who are at risk of losing their inspiration before realizing their talent.

Students who meet the established criteria receive individual or group music instruction from professional teachers from The Community Division of The Hartt School of Music. This mentoring enables young students to improve their skills, learn the value of commitment and practice, and to grow in confidence.

Gifts of Music unites the resources of the West Hartford Public Schools, The Community Division of the Hartt School of Music, private donors, and the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. The Gifts of Music Fund is managed by a dedicated group of longtime volunteers. The Fund was established at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation in 2002 as a donor advised fund, with a permanent endowment to support the Gifts of Music Program.

Gifts of Music

• Provides approximately 50 students with private and group lessons with professional music teachers
• Provides supervised after school practice sessions with building-based instrumental music teachers
• Collects, refurbishes, and distributes musical instruments through its Instrument Recycling Program
• Collaborates with the West Hartford Department of Fine and Performing Arts and the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust to sponsor the Sizzlin’ Suzuki Summer Camp for lower elementary school students
• Awards two Ki and Tuck Miller Scholarships to high school students for summer jazz study
• Awards scholarships to secondary level students for study of a band instrument or choral music.

Music Lessons

• Students in grades 5-12 are invited to participate and are selected on the basis of financial need, potential, interest and commitment
• Professional music teachers from The Community Division of the Hartt School provide weekly individual lessons within the school day throughout the year
• School-based music teachers monitor progress and, together with parents, offer encouragement and support.
• Students are challenged to set goals and work hard to achieve those goals.

Ki and Tuck Miller Gifts of Music Summer Scholarship

• Applicants must have participated in the Gifts of Music program for at least 3 years
• Students must have Gifts of Music instructor's recommendation to apply
• Students will fill out a brief application form including a paragraph regarding the impact of lessons on their musical development
• Up to $500 available to fund lessons in the summer