Nurturing the Next Generation of Musicians
Studies have shown that students who participate in musical activities have better academic achievement. The MMB has two programs that support its mission of encouraging music appreciation and education among our youth:
Summer Youth Band (SYB)
The free Summer Youth Band (SYB) program is open to all students enrolled in 6th through 12th grade who are interested in learning to play a musical instrument, or who already play a wind or percussion instrument. Each student receives a 50-minute group lesson with a qualified teacher and also has playing time as part of a band.
There is no cost for the lesson book for beginners, and a limited number of instruments are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Once these instruments are distributed, the program pays for a one-month rental of the instrument for those students beginning a new instrument. There is a minimum rental period of three months.
Students present a concert to parents and the public on the final day of the program.
As the number of students participating continues to grow, so do costs for instrument rentals, music, lesson books, and the auditorium rental. MMB is asking the community for donations to help offset the impact of those increases. Tax-deductible donations can be made out to “SUMMER YOUTH BAND” and mailed to Melbourne Municipal Band, PO Box 3105, Melbourne, FL 32902. Those who donate to benefit the SYB will be recognized in the printed Summer Youth Band concert program in July.