The Snowman Foundation works to give the gift of music to all children.

 

The Snowman Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing instruments, instruction and inspiration to deserving children. As their mission statement articulates, they strive "to ensure that the ability to play music is available to every young person, and that interest and talent, not economics, are the factors that determine who gets the chance to practice and develop their musical abilities". The organization, founded by Michael Allen Harrison, brings musical education and its wealth of benefits back to faltering or absent programs by providing instruments, materials, supplies, and instruction. Learning music is one of the only activities that uses the entire brain. It is a scientific fact that participating in music makes you smarter and can be a major contributor to success in all of the other educational disciplins. Music should be required by all education programs. It's so important for every child to participate in the art of learning music. Participating in group activities such as orchestra, band or choir also creates an environment for kids to find there place in the world socially. A place where they feel they belong, work on goals together which creates an appetite for excellence and good citizens for the future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving all children access to music through inspiration, instruments and instruction.

Who will make the music?

 

What began as the vision of Northwest composer and pianist Michael Allen Harrison has evolved into a community effort that shares the joy, the healing, the learning, and the life-changing gifts music has to offer. The Snowman Foundation was formed 1999 to fill the gap in music left by a lack of funds in schools. The foundation’s primary source of funding comes from our annual Ten Grands concert and since 2000, we have raised nearly two million dollars! There’s nothing more ubiquitous than music. We hear it every day. On the radio, in TV shows, on our computers, at the mall. It’s in our phones, in the games we play, it’s everywhere we turn. And we love it. There’s also nothing quite as powerful as music. It can alter our mood. It can change a life; it can even unite and transform an entire generation. But have you ever stopped to think about where musicians come from? Are they magically born with an instrument in their hands? Are they savants who can pick up a score and hear the music? Ask one. They’ll likely tell a different story, one that involves a gift of an instrument at an early age; patient encouragement and tutelage from someone who already knew how to play; lots of hard work striving to be better. Yes, people who make music have a talent, but like any artist, their talent needs a patron in order to grow, develop and thrive. At The Snowman Foundation, we understand the importance of music and we’re committed to providing the instruments, instructors and inspiration young people need to develop. After all, if we fail to keep creating musicians, who will make the music? The Snowman Foundation provides access to music for all kids!