Image courtesy Hingework Photography
Many Susquehanna Valley residents and visitors are familiar with Keys for the City, one of Music for Everyone’s most visible annual programs. About 15 brightly-decorated pianos, sponsored by area businesses, are placed throughout Lancaster from May to September. That’s how Willow Valley Communities first became involved with Music for Everyone (MFE).
The relationship has grown into a mentoring program, with a key group of Willow Valley residents volunteering their time to tutor beginning music students at several schools including Lancaster’s Carter & MacRae Elementary School. For every mentor provided by Willow Valley, MFE provides an instrument to a student in need.
“It’s so much more than tutoring,” says Ross Fairweather, Willow Valley Communities resident and volunteer leader of the mentoring program. “So many students are facing difficult situations—homelessness or a parent who is incarcerated, for example. There’s not enough classroom time for every student to learn their instruments, so having a tutor is a win-win for everyone.”
Fairweather says music education helps students in many ways—for starters, studies show that music improves students’ comprehension of STEM subjects.
She encourages others in the community to learn more about MFE and become involved for the greater community good—“music to everyone’s ears,” so to speak.
“One of our residents worked in accounting for many years. Now that she’s retired and mentoring a music student, she says it’s the best job she’s ever had.”
Sponsored by Willow Valley Communities
Willow Valley Communities, a senior living community, offers a full range of amenities to support their mission, “Life Lived Forward.” With two campuses, 210 acres and over 100 floor plans, Willow Valley Communities is home to 2,500 independent living residents in Lancaster County, which was recently named the country’s second-best retirement location by “U.S. News & World Report.” See WillowValleyCommunities.org.
Want to Help?
MFE’s mission is to cultivate the power of music for education and community building. Since 2006, MFE has provided over $1.3 million in grants, scholarships and support for schools and community arts groups in Lancaster County. Check the website (MusicForEveryone.org) to get involved—volunteer, donate an instrument, sing in the community chorus, make a tax-deductible contribution, and much more.
