Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation and Graystone Builders, Inc. Partner to Bring Music Education
to New Hampshire
$85,000 to support New Hampshire Rocks!, a new statewide initiative of
New Hampshire Department of Education
Thirteen New Hampshire schools are the recipients of generous contributions from state and national partners to launch New Hampshire Rocks!, a program designed to expand students’ musical opportunities in school music education programs.
In partnership with Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation, Graystone Builders, Inc. of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Education, Little Kids Rock is proud to announce the launch of New Hampshire Rocks!, a statewide initiative that expands student opportunities to create, perform, and connect through music. Teachers in districts across the state of New Hampshire will receive professional learning and training in Little Kids Rock’s modern band pedagogy and instruments for their school music programs.
Beginning on August 31, thirty New Hampshire music teachers will begin receiving curriculum and training so that they are prepared to begin delivering instruction to their students in person or on-line depending on how the pandemic impacts districts across the state this year. Thirteen of these teachers will also receive instruments for their program, representing the first equipped cohort of New Hampshire Rocks! This first year cohort of teachers represents eleven districts across six counties with the potential to impact nearly 6,000 students. These schools represent the state’s largest, smallest, urban, rural, and charter districts.
Bringing music education programs to New Hampshire was made possible thanks to a generous challenge grant put forth by New Hampshire resident and business owner, David Smith, President of Graystone Builders, Inc. To date, the New Hampshire Department of Education, Milagro Foundation, and Little Kids Rock have raised funds to be matched by Graystone Builders, for a total investment of nearly $85,000 into New Hampshire public schools.
This partnership also represents the continuation of Carlos Santana’s long-time support of Little Kids Rock and his commitment to providing music educational opportunities for students across the country. In reflecting on this relationship and its impact, Carlos said: “For me, there is no greater joy than seeing the transformative powers that music can bring to a child. I know firsthand how it changed my life. It gave me a vocabulary and a confidence to know that I am significant, meaningful, and I can make a difference in the world. That is what Little Kids Rock brings to these children - the knowledge that they are all of these things and can touch people's hearts and make a difference in this world. It is an honor to work with Little Kids Rock and celebrate all that they continue to do in this world."
About Little Kids Rock
Little Kids Rock transforms lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in our schools. Thousands of K-12 teachers lead a national movement that brings innovative and inclusive music education to students.
Since 2002, the organization has reached more than 1,000,000 students with highly inclusive and culturally relevant music education. Today, more than 550,000 kids currently participate in Little Kids Rock programs in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more here: https://www.littlekidsrock.org/
About Graystone Builders
For over 30 years, Graystone Builders of New Hampshire has been building homes in the Seacoast New Hampshire region with attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. We are grateful to David Smith for his continuing partnership with the Milagro Foundation. Learn more here: https://www.graystonebuildersnh.com/
