Center for Music National Service plans

As the school year begins, the Center for Music National Service (MNS, www.musicnationalservice.org) has announced its plans for 2011-2012. MNS is a nonprofit organization that supports music as a strategy for public good. Through direct programs and public education, MNS "uses music as an intervention to address a number of critical social challenges. Music can inspire a child to succeed in school and life, soothe the sick and assist in the recovery of hospitalized patients, and strengthen communities of all kinds by bringing people together." MNS runs three signature initiatives:

• MusicianCorps trains and places musicians to serve full-time as teachers and mentors in low-performing public schools, youth centers and other high-need community settings, using music to reengage youth in their academic and civic lives, and provide them critical skills for success in the 21st century.
• Music Service Days bring musicians, non-musicians, students and parents, as well as corporate and community volunteers together for a day to improve music resources in schools and youth centers by renovating music rooms, constructing instruments, painting murals, and sharing in the power of music through performances and workshops at children's and veteran's hospitals, shelters, retirement and hospice residences and other locations.
• ServiceArtist.net is an online learning community of musicians, educators and other practitioners of music as a strategy to reach, teach and heal, who share resources and work together to better lives and strengthen communities through creativity and service.

While MNS has received an innovation grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and hosts Ameri*Corps participants, it has been an independent, volunteer-involving organization since its founding in 2007. Headquartered in San Francisco, the Center is also active in political advocacy for musician and artist contributions and has organized the Congressional Musicians Caucus.