FAQs

What is MUSEical Tales(formerly known as Project Storytelling)?

MT is a program for young students that uses music and literacy education to encourage curiosity and a love for learning. Each class features a different guest artist and focuses on one story element (characters, setting, plot, conflict/resolution). Stories can be both told with words and music. The artist performs live and leads the class in activities that connect music to stories. The pilot for MT ran from April 14th to June 9th, 2021 for a class of 2nd graders from Camden, NJ. It is currently running at William Cramp Elementary School in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, and as a collaboration between Musical Mentors Collaborative, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Harmony Program, and Brilliant Detroit.

The pictures to the left are examples of books being read in the program

How did it start?

I have wanted to create a music program for young students for many years and the Community Artist Program class at the Curtis Institute gave me this opportunity to plan and implement this project. The Community Artist Program is a year-long class at Curtis that gives students the opportunity to create projects that bring arts into the community.

What makes it different?

The main focus of MUSEical Tales is to provide live performances in every class by world-class, high-quality musicians and nurture a classroom environment where students feel safe to express their creativity and curiosities.

Why literacy and music?

I was blessed with many opportunities because of my family, music, and community. Music helped me and is continuing to help me grow, love, and build a healthy relationship with myself. I would love to be able to create similar opportunities for the youth of today, especially for those in communities that lack resources for the arts or otherwise wouldn’t have access to the arts.

While doing an environmental scan, I landed on the Philadelphia School District’s website, where I saw 2018-19 data that read, only 50% of students from Grade K to 2 met their instructional reading target for the year. This data immediately caught my attention, and this is why I chose to have one of my focuses be on literacy.

What is the future of MUSEical Tales?

My goal for MT is to expand the program to reach as many communities as possible. The sustainability of the program is also an important aspect that is being explored. In future installments, there is a discussion of the inclusion of digital media and a variety of performing artists (actors, singers, dancers etc.). The program will continue to expand within Musical Mentors Collaborative as well as other music organizations and festivals across the country.