Inspiring Minds

Changing Lives
Bay Area Music Project (BAMP) is an El Sistema inspired after school music education program serving the social, emotional, cultural and academic needs of children. Alameda Music Project, the flagship chapter program operates 5 days per week, providing on-site music instruction and academic support to over 100 children at Maya Lin School, an innovative arts integrated school in the socioeconomically diverse West End of Alameda. 

​All students participating in BAMP receive high-quality music instruction in both small group and orchestra settings plus all necessary musical supplies (instruments, song books, etc), a nutritious snack and academic support during the school year. We empower children to discover their highest potential through musical instruction and performance experiences in a collaborative, orchestral environment that helps build confidence, compassion and teamwork. Children learn the importance of collaboration and cooperation in and outside the ensemble; they learn how to become one voice, and through their shared experience, grow stronger as individuals and as a community.
“My son is getting an amazing exposure to music in so many wonderful forms and formats, one that fosters his curiosity about, and love of music. And to top it all off, time, space, and encouragement to do homework, I couldn't ask for a better place for him to be after school.”  — Deb S. BAMP parent
​Ever wonder what it takes to make "one big, amazing show"? Check out the behind the scenes preparation from our incredible Alameda Music Project musicians working together to become one voice for their year-end performance.
In watching Zorana progress over the last 3 years, she's gone from a rather timid, quiet singer to now showing great confidence (upright posture, smiling, etc.) She doesn't hesitate to belt out a song at any given moment! That confidence can't help but to spill out into other facets of the kids lives. Thank you for providing this for our children — we notice it and appreciate all that you've done… Thanks a million!

The 2017/18 Season - Expansion and Inclusion

Our fourth season is well under way and as always the bar is set high because of our young musicians  successes. This year we expanded the program to include more children and more opportunities to play and share the joy of music.
Here are just a few highlights:
  • Individual and group Instruction in violin, cello, winds, brass, percussion and voice
  • Ensemble instruction and performance
  • Electronic music production
  • Academic support and targeted tutoring
  • Field trips (Oakland Symphony, Marin Symphony, SF Conservatory of Music, Cal Performances)
  • Guest artist performances and side by side rehearsals
  • Performance opportunities in school, our community and throughout the Bay Area

Experiences of a lifetime

For the past two years, BAMP strings students have had an opportunity to collaborate with musicians from the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, UC Berkeley Orchestra and over 100 children from all over the Bay Area.
In September 2015 we participated our first Bay Area El Sistema seminario hosted by Cal Performances on the campus of UC Berkeley. Nine violin students from Alameda Music Project received a rare opportunity to participate in a side-by-side rehearsal with members of The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra.
As incredible as it was to see our students on stage at Zellerbach Hall, this day was about so much more than just playing music. Through this experience they put into practice the life skills we emphasize at AMP:  Teamwork, collaboration, perseverance and determination. In the end they returned home full of pride in what they accomplished and a greater sense of their own potential. Watch the video of their special day here.
In October 2016, ten students from our violin and cello classes participated in day-long workshops that encouraged them to experiment musically and collaboratively. The day concluded with a concert of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) conducted by LA Phil Musical director and conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. 

Expanding our world

In the spring of 2016 we launched an ambitious cultural and musical exchange project between our senior choir ensemble and children from Music Heals International in Port au Prince, Haiti. Together, the children helped to creatively arrange and record two songs in English and Haitian Creole. These recordings showcase the incredible talents of both programs, collaborating musically, even though they live thousands of miles apart. Through this experience the children made unique and profound connections to one another by sharing their collective love of making music and by sharing their personal stories, through letters, drawings and even paper airplanes! See all that we've accomplished this year here.

The Paper Violin Project

One of the most important components of our beginner violin class is the Paper Violin Project. It is quickly becoming a popular right of passage for our young orchestra. Creating a paper instrument is a great way to build community within our orchestra. It's one of their first collaborative efforts. They share design ideas and help each other during the assembly process. It also only helps our young violinists learn the parts of the violin and proper posture. Most importantly but also how to care for, and respect their instrument. Afterall, these are fragile works of art they created! 
Our violinists will use these violins for the first few weeks of the program and then "graduate" to their real instruments. 

NOTABLE NEWS


​2018-19 enrollment
​iS NOW OPEN!

We're planning lots of great experiences for next program year! Join us!
CLICK HERE for further details and to apply online. 
*Your child must be enrolled at our partner site
Maya Lin School for the ​2018-19 school year. 

Fingerprints — a short documentary film by Don Hardy premiers at the Mill Valley Film Festival; wins "Best Documentary Short" at Alameda International Film Festival! 

Fingerprints is the story of kids from Alameda Music Project who come together, virtually, to record two songs with kids from Music Heals International in Port au Prince, Haiti. Along the way, the kids learn that, even though their lives are very different, their spirit, ambition, and love of life are strikingly similar...and music is a universal language that connects us all.
HEAR THE SONGS!
Both songs are available for purchase and supports both BAMP and MHI programs.
Bandcamp:https://goo.gl/f8c18h
Amazon: https://goo.gl/ziCwWX
Google Play https://goo.gl/CHepY8
iTunes https://goo.gl/cJDV19
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Bay Area Music Project is proud to be recognized as a 2017 Outstanding Organization by California Assemblymember Rob Bonta!

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A Year in Review

​Over 100 children have participated in Alameda Music Project's ambitious "music for social change" after-school program since its launch in September 2014. This video is a year in review of just some of the incredible life changing opportunities we're able to provide for them.

Click here for more Videos

UPCOMING EVENTS

Spring Concerts
Friday, April 20th 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. 
Maya Lin School
​825 Taylor Ave. Alameda

​Friday, April 27th 7:30 pm in collaboration with Alameda Sings!