Keeping time

Alliance Family YMCA

Music is an integral part of our lives. It is expressed in many ways, through dance, drama, visual art and music.   Through it's art integration programming, the Alliance Family YMCA has worked to bring values into the lives of youth.  They have also worked to bring respect and responsibility into the lives of the children they serve. 

Though both research and practice, YMCA leaders found that “drumming”, as it is called, brought the best out of individuals. Youth learned to work together, learned to appreciate an art form that encourages group participation, and left with self esteem in accomplishing an instrument.  And such was the case when students in the Y's  Child Care program (ages 6-12) and middle school Navigator program (grades 6-8) were taught drumming with the the help of 10 new drums, Mount Union College music interns and teachers from Alliance City Schools.

Thanks to a special project grant from ArtsinStark, The County Arts Council,  children of all ages experienced the music of the soul and reaped the joy of working together to learn a new skill.

Read about more Grants in Action.