MMTA's Music Connect Program Returns Stronger - Reopening for Applications in July

MMTA’s Music Connect is a jewel in the crown of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association. Since its inception in 2018, more than sixty students have been able to continue their lessons during times of financial hardship. You, our MMTA members, have so much to be proud of as this program continues to grow.

Due to an unprecedented and very fortunate demand for grants during the summer and fall of 2025, the MMTA Board and the Music Connect Committee decided to evaluate ways to establish new parameters for future awards. These changes will help ensure that MMTA can sustain this important program for years to come.

Special thanks go to Dorothy Travis and Valerie Stark, who worked tirelessly to develop these new guidelines:

• Application Period: Applications will open on July 15, 2026, and remain open through September 12, 2026, pending receipt of an ample number of applications during that time. These dates will be reviewed to determine whether they should remain the same in subsequent years.
  (Previously, applications were accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.)

• Teacher Applications: Each MMTA teacher may apply for one student only during each application period for that academic year.
  (Previously, teachers could apply throughout the year for as many students as had financial need.)

• Grant Amounts: Teachers may receive grants for up to 16 lessons per academic year, either 16, 45-minute lessons or 16, 30-minute lessons.
  (Previously, teachers could receive grants for up to 32 lessons per student, in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute increments.)

• Family Limit: During any given enrollment period (academic year), only one grant per family will be awarded.
  (Previously, grants were not limited to multiple children within a family.)

We extend our sincere thanks to Ellyses Kuan, our webmaster, who will soon be updating the forms and program descriptions on the MMTA website. I will also be working with Rebecca Helm, Communications Chair, and Ellyses to ensure that our membership is fully informed of these updates.

Fundraising Efforts in the Works

• Lydia Reed-Guertin and I are planning a benefit concert for flute and piano, likely to take place next fall.

• Jonathan Roberts is developing plans for a Playathon-style fundraiser in Hanover at a Family Fun Center. More details will be coming soon!

• Marceline Merrill has also announced that she will present a benefit recital. Stay tuned for more information.

If you are reading this and thinking that you, too, would like to present a benefit concert in support of this program, please feel free to contact me at abarr54@verizon.net.

Many thanks to Ellyses for continually updating the website; to Dorothy and Valerie for their steadfast service on the application committee; and to Rebecca for her work on postings and newsletter entries. I would also like to warmly thank Marcy Merrill, MMTA Treasurer, who generates and mails the grant checks to participating teachers. These dedicated volunteers are the individuals who keep this program vital, relevant, and growing.

I thank everyone who has participated in this wonderful program, and I hope you will agree that it is now returning stronger, fairer, and more fiscally responsive to MMTA’s resources and treasury.

Please look for updates on our website coming in early July 2026.

Submitted by:
Alison S. Barr, Chair
MMTA’s Music Connect Program
abarr54@verizon.net