Mandate

Founded in 2008, the Hamilton Music Collective (HMC) is driven by the belief that all youth deserve access to the transformative power of music. HMC’s mission is to change lives through music by providing accessible, barrier-free education that builds confidence, fosters creativity, and empowers young people. Through its award-winning An Instrument for Every Child (AIFEC) program, after-school initiatives, live performances, and community partnerships, HMC delivers inclusive programming that blends social engagement with artistic excellence. Since its launch in 2009, AIFEC has provided more than 10,000 under-resourced elementary students in Hamilton’s highest-need neighbourhoods with free music education, delivered in partnership with local school boards, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and community organizations.

Our Mission

1. To educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the musical arts, by providing performances of an artistic nature in public places;

2. To advance education by providing educational and instructional seminars, workshops, programs and publications on topics related to the musical arts;

3. To educate the public in musical performance and composition through workshops and recitals; and

4. To establish, equip, maintain, and operate a public facility for the musical arts.

Taking Action

The Hamilton Music Collective’s largest program, An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) removes barriers for students who live in poverty; by encouraging children to participate, awarding grants to cover all program expenses and by providing each participant with his/her own instrument free of charge for the duration of the program. AIFEC’s goals are empowerment and accessibility and to enable all children to experience the joy and benefits of playing music, regardless of their socio-economic position.

The Hamilton Music Collective believes that ALL children should have opportunities to be exposed to music and to learn to play an instrument.

Empowering Positive Change in the Community

The most important changes we are working to achieve include:

Increased access to music programs for disadvantaged children in Hamilton
Increasing the number of parents who are actively engaged in their children’s music education
Maximizing the program’s positive benefits

Educational research shows that:

Children who study the arts demonstrate stronger overall academic performance. Education is a top public policy priority and the role of the arts in learning is of great interest to parents, educators, legislators, civic leaders and business owners.
Arts programs improve students’ self-confidence and build communication and problem-solving skills in children and teens. This experience prepares young people to be the resourceful and creative problem solvers, who employers seek for today’s work force.
The arts help to develop the kinds of innovative minds and creative skills required by the entertainment, advertising, design, technical, scientific and other industries that enable businesses to compete successfully in the 21st century workplace.