The [Small Voices of Hope] chorus program changed me. It changed me because it helped me learn how to be a young musician and artist, and to write my song. – 4th grader
Inspired by visionary Hubie Jones, and launched in the Spring of 2015, Small Voices of Hope is one of our newest projects, bringing a choral program to children in Boston’s public city schools. It is our hope to bring the presence of music back to many places where programs have been cut.
Together with Boston’s Higher Ground, founded by Hubie Jones and led by Executive Director Mossik Hacobian, we established an 8-week pilot program in two schools, with a goal of expanding the length of the program starting in the Fall of 2015.
The young people who take part in this program at their schools meet once a week with our conductor Sophia Papoulis, who created the Small Voices of Hope program and its design and curriculum. Through carefully chosen repertoire representing a variety of styles of music from different parts of the world, choristers learn musical skills and concepts, understand score navigation, and practice healthy habits for singing.
Together with composer and FSV founder Jim Papoulis, they create a brand new song for their schools through our signature songwriting workshop. The children give each other feedback, reflect on their experiences, and perform for their peers, teachers, and parents.
This is the best part of my day. I get to sing!!! – 5th grader
Our Pilot Schools, Spring 2015
David A. Ellis Elementary School, Roxbury
Higginson/Lewis K-8 School, Roxbury
Higher Ground is an organization that seeks to improve educational outcomes in Boston’s inner city neighborhoods by supporting early childhood development and school readiness, leveraging existing services and connecting them to local schools, supporting development of a local network of district and charter schools and supporting parents to be more engaged in governance of the schools.
Special thanks to the following individuals and companies whose in-kind donations of time and talent helped make our 8-week “Small Voices of Hope” pilot project possible:
Kate L Photography
Jessica Rucinski, pianist