Our Research

Dr. Shirley Brice Heath studied over 124 afterschool programs for 10 years and found successful programs included*:
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Community-based – CMC is adapted to SPPN’s distinct needs and takes advantage of existing community resources, becoming a part of St. Paul’s collective impact initiatives.
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Provides risk-taking opportunities: Performances are a positive risk-taking opportunity. Doing them in a group se
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Time-intensive: CMC youth rehearse 5 hours a week, with an option for piano lessons and a youth leadership team.
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Connection to social resources: By partnering with the Boys & Girls Club and St. Paul Public and charter schools, CMC is able to make connections to social resources, provide daily meals, and link students/families to needed resources.
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Use of mentors: CMC uses veteran students to teach newer students. Our performance-intensive choir mentors our training choir program regularly.
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Ensemble-focused: By keeping the focus on excellence and success of ensemble, teamwork, communication skills, relationship skills are required, rather than competition of individuals.
*Information taken from Heath, Shirley Brice and Elisabeth Soep. Youth Development and the Arts in Nonschool Hours (PDF attached)
Evidence of Music's Significant Positive Influence on Neurological Development
http://daniellevitin.com/publicpage/books/this-is-your-brain-on-music/
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2014/12/how-music-class-can-spark-brain-development/
http://www.brainvolts.northwestern.edu/documents/Krausetal_Harmony_JNeuro2014.pdf
https://www.brainvolts.northwestern.edu/projects/music/index.php
https://www.harmonyprojectofamerica.org/research.html
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/music-lessons-combat-povertys-effect-on-the-brain/
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/using-music-to-close-the-academic-gap/280362/
https://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/video/wiX7OfWS0MJEQO0TFxH_MIChxFawsGB9/el-sistema/