Summary:

Here is a surprising fact from a recent Star Tribune article:

▪ “Minnesota has some of the worst academic achievement gaps in the nation between white kids and students of color. For example, Minnesota has the nation's worst on-time graduation rates among Latinos and American Indians and is among the worst for black and Asian students.”

And here is a reality check from the Saint Paul Public Schools website:

▪ “Seventy-one percent of students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of poverty. For 45%, English is not their home language.”

We have a holistic socio-economic, racial, and educational problem to solve in Saint Paul. We are a society with so many riches, but many of our fellow Saint Paulites are being left behind. This is a moral, spiritual, and ethical dilemma—a question of our humanity. A challenge of this depth and complexity requires a creative and soulful idea. It also needs a million-dollar idea!

It may be hard to believe, but in Venezuela their internationally recognized music education program has for three decades helped their families overcome poverty and adversity by first creating an affluence of the spirit. Their music system (called “El Sistema”) is proven effective.

With a million-dollar investment we want something that is doable and has a very good chance of success. This idea has already been tested, and the model is being replicated worldwide. Saint Paul can achieve this big goal—to “close the achievement-wealth-racial gap.” We aspire to give everyone a fair chance at the American dream and to create a more richly harmonious society. We can create a great, intensive after-school music program that pursues musical excellence and improves the lives of all of our children.

We know how great music makes us feel. Great music says to us: every human being has the right to live a life of dignity and beauty. Let's make great music together!