East Boston elementary-age students will soon gain additional exposure to music education. Beginning in January, public schools in the neighborhood will offer after-school music programs and band rehearsals, host workshops with the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music and give around 200 area students access to free private music lessons.
The 11 East Boston elementary schools slated for this expansion will also be able to purchase new instruments, coordinate student band appearances at local festivals and support guest artist residencies and workshops. The funding will only be going to elementary schools in East Boston for now. BPS leaders and EdVestors say they're targeting schools in this neighborhood to experiment with ways the district can take music education to the"next level."