Bring Music to Children on the US/MEXICO Border

THE CHALLENGE:
Tornillo, Texas is the border town that less than a year ago was infamous for being the site of the largest internment camp for young people and families in the country.  Although public outrage forced its closing in early 2019, many of the children who still live in Tornillo lead lives of acute stress.  A number of them cross the border and the Rio Grande to come to school every day, and go back across to sleep with their families, who are not allowed to enter the country.  All live in poverty, many in acute poverty. 

The children of this district carry hidden stories – of violence, families broken up, loneliness, or simply constant worry.  Their school district superintendent has asked for our help in creating an immersive music program for them.  

THE SOLUTION:
We know from experience around the world that for children living in poverty or displacement, an immersive, inclusive, welcoming music program can make the difference between joy and crisis.  These programs have helped countless children surmount poverty, and are proving to be life-changing for displaced young people in refugee camps across Europe. 

In Tornillo, an opportunity has opened to create such a music program. With the support of Rosy Vega-Barrio, the Superintendent of the Tornillo school district, The Tocando Music Program  will be piloting an immersive music program in Tornillo starting in January, providing in-school El Sistema-inspired music classes four days a week and after-school ensemble rehearsals two days a week at Tornillo Elementary School. In order to make this dream a reality, we need to raise $50,000 for an experienced teacher salary and percussion instruments.

Our hope is that this program will provide a model for other programs to be created along the border for children and youth in severely challenging environments.  If you have felt helpless about news of the brutalities confronting children and young people at our border, now you can do something! 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Please help Tocando expand our music programming to reach the children in Tornillo, Texas!  All donations received through this fundraising account will go directly to fund a new music program in Tornillo through the Tocando Program.

Should you have questions or desire additional information, please contact the El Paso Symphony at [phone redacted] or  [email redacted]

ABOUT TOCANDO:
The Tocando Music Project (a program of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra) is an El Sistema-inspired afterschool program that provides free music instruction, instruments, and performance opportunities as a vehicle for underserved children to acquire valuable tools of musicianship, teamwork, self-confidence, leadership, and academic success.

Currently stationed in the Segundo Barrio neighborhood of South El Paso, Tocando serves over 60 students in grades 2-8. Tocando offers intensive music education through the orchestra. Participating students also receive a daily nutritious snack, weekly academic support, field trips to cultural events and concerts, and opportunities to perform in the community.  With the help of this campaign, we hope to expand our program to our second city in Tornillo, Texas!

www.tocandomusicproject.com 
www.facebook.com/tocandomusicproject/