About

Our mission

Transforming lives by transforming music education.

We believe music education should be as diverse, dynamic, and powerful as the students it serves.

That’s why, for more than two decades, we’ve led a movement to bring modern music—rock, hip hop, pop, Latin, country, R&B, and more—into classrooms across the country. Our programs center student voice, support teacher agency, and break down the barriers that have long limited who gets access to music in school.

We’re reimagining what music education can be: relevant, inclusive, and rooted in the lived experiences of young people. Because when students see themselves in the music they’re learning, everything changes—from confidence and creativity to connection and community.

And we’re just getting started.

Our start

How It All Began

Music Will was born from one teacher’s belief that music should be for everyone—not just the few who could afford private lessons or traditional school music programs.

What started as an after-school program with a few borrowed guitars—in a school that had no music program—has grown into the largest nonprofit music program in U.S. public schools, reaching over a million students annually in all 50 states.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Music

Our Reach

Today, a national network of K-12 districts have adopted the Music Will program in their schools. Music Will teachers currently serve over 1,000,000 students in more than 600 cities and towns across the country. More than 70 colleges and universities teach our approach to their music education majors. Explore more about our music programs and how the modern band approach is making a positive impact in communities across America.

Learn about Modern Band

Our Impact

What kind of impact are we having in communities across the country?

1.8M

students served

100K

instruments and equipment donated

6,000

schools supported

MAKE YOUR IMPACT

OUR PARTNERS

Partnerships

Join some of the top brands and renowned recording artists helping us in our mission to bring music education to millions of students. Our partners work with us on a number of initiatives including launching new music programs in schools, sponsoring events, classroom makeovers, artist classroom visits, and donating instruments.

Learn more about our current partners and how you can help transform lives by bringing  music education to students across America.

PARTNER WITH US

"We have asked all of our students whether they prefer traditional music ensembles or modern music ensembles. Overwhelmingly… respondents have chosen that they want the district to offer modern band and modern music ensembles.”

César Torruella

Executive Director of Arts Education, Chicago Public Schools

"Kids have found their voice through music. Many families have acquired instruments for their students. Students are playing music with and developing relationships with family members through their exposure to the Music Will program. The program has been a ‘game changer’ for my students!”

Sara Whittle

Teacher, Grades K-8, Indianapolis, IN

"Music has just truly, truly changed my life. Because of Music Will, I now believe that I have a future.”

Jasmine

Music Will Teacher

"When kids see themselves reflected in music, they form a lifelong connection they may never find in any other setting. We get to be the bridge.”

Catherine Plitcha

Teacher, New York

"It helps me grow as a person on the inside and as if I am learning a new language I never heard of.”

Music Will Student

Los Angeles, California

"In this neighborhood, hope tends to die out on you. But when you play music, it’s like a boost of hope, it makes you feel like the most important person in the world.”

Zaia

Music Will Student

"What I would say to someone that’s funded this program is thank you, because without it, I wouldn’t even get to find out if someone like me can go to a higher lever of creating music and getting to understand it more on a deeper level.”

Auvrianna

Music Will Student