Boston Music Project

What Boston Music Project does

Boston Music Project (BMP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts, that delivers music education combined with social-emotional learning (SEL) to Boston youth from PreK through 12th grade. The organization originated as the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program at a single elementary school, separated from Boston Public Schools in 2015 to become an independent nonprofit (EIN 47-4232704), and has since expanded to 32 Boston school partners, serving 2,400+ students annually with a roster of approximately 70 teaching artists. Its core instructional portfolio includes before- and after-school care, in-school partnership programs, private lessons, summer programming (Summer Strings, July 20-31, 2026, plus an Urbanity partnership), community performances at venues such as Boston Symphony Hall and Boston Children's Museum, the Beethoven Ensemble for students with special needs, the Paper Orchestra kindergarten pre-instrumental program, and a Music Workforce Apprenticeship that pays students to develop professional music skills.

The organization's proprietary technology and content assets center on a 36-week SEL curriculum integrated with instrumental music instruction (developed during 2020-2021), multilingual tuning tutorials in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, and a custom paper-instrument methodology for early childhood. The core instructional technology is human-led teaching delivered through school-day and extended-day channels; there is no disclosed AI/ML capability and the digital footprint is limited to a Wix-hosted website, standard social channels, and a third-party Regpack registration system.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: 78% of programming is tuition-free with $625K in FY26 scholarships funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants (D'Addario Foundation, Cummings Foundation among named supporters). Earned revenue comes from performance fees for professional and youth musicians ($500-$1,000 per hour depending on ensemble type) and modest tuition for the remaining 22% of programming, plus in-kind instrument donations. Go-to-market is community-led, with direct school-district partnerships, community events (Youth Fest!, Make Music Boston Day — 42 performances at 12 venues in 2025), and an annual benefit event (Playing with Purpose, scheduled April 16, 2026 at The Grand). Recognition includes NAMM's Best Community for Music Education (2018) and Support Music Merit Award (2019), a 2019 City of Boston Official Resolution, and NAfME Music Education Policy Roundtable membership (2025).

Name

Boston Music Project

Legal name

Boston Music Project

Website

https://bostonmusicproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Boston Music Project is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering tuition-free music education and social-emotional learning to 2,400+ PreK-12 youth annually across 32 Boston Public School partners via a 70-artist teaching roster.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Music Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD), Music Therapy (Educational/Developmental Programs) (EDAMANAK), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Youth music education
• Creative youth development
• Social-emotional learning
• School music partnerships
• Nonprofit arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. The organization maintains a comprehensive donor program with matching gift support, stock transfers, and donor-advised fund options.
2. Performance Fees: Revenue from hiring professional and youth musicians for events. Professional jazz/string quartets start at $1,000/hour, youth ensembles at $500/hour.
3. Tuition and Program Fees: Program fees for before/after school and summer programming. 78% of programming is tuition-free with $625K in FY26 scholarships provided.
4. Instrument Donations (In-Kind): Accepts new and gently used instruments with 100% tax deductibility for donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Boston Music Project delivers music-based Creative Youth Development programming to over 2,400 Boston youth annually. The organization provides rigorous instrumental instruction (strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, digital music) integrated with a proprietary 36-week social-emotional learning curriculum through in-school partnerships with 32 Boston Public Schools, before/after school care, private lessons, and summer programs. 78% of programming is offered tuition-free to expand access for underserved communities.

Product overview

Boston Music Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing music-based Creative Youth Development programming. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including Before & After School Care, In School Partnerships, Private Lessons, Summer Programs (including Summer Strings), Community Performances, and the Music Workforce Apprenticeship. Special offerings include the Beethoven Ensemble for students with special needs, Paper Orchestra for early childhood music education, and Hire Our Musicians for event bookings. The organization also hosts signature events including Youth Fest!, Playing with Purpose (annual benefit), and Make Music Boston. The Emerging Leaders Council provides youth leadership development opportunities. All programs integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) with instrumental music instruction across strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, and digital music.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In School Partnerships Weekly in-school instrumental music instruction and social-emotional learning delivered directly within Boston Public Schools, serving PreK-12 students across 32 partner schools. Designed for school administrators seeking to expand arts and SEL programming without internal staffing.
• Before & After School Care Programs Structured instrumental music instruction and SEL programming offered to students outside of regular school hours, with sliding scale and tuition-free options to expand access. For families seeking supplemental music education for their children.
• Private Lessons One-on-one instrumental music instruction for individual students. For parents and families seeking personalized music education for their children.
• Summer Programs (Summer Strings) Summer intensive music education programs for students, including the Summer Strings program. For families seeking continuing music instruction during the summer months.
• Hire Our Musicians Booking service for BMP student musicians and professional ensembles to perform at events, fundraisers, and private functions. Tiered pricing based on ensemble type: Professional Jazz/String Quartets at $1,000/hour, Youth Ensembles at $500/hour, Music & Movement Classes at $85/hour. For event planners, corporations, and organizations seeking live music with a social impact dimension.
• Music Workforce Apprenticeship (M.W.A.) Workforce development program that pays students to develop music skills, with applications open for the 2026 cycle. For youth seeking paid apprenticeship opportunities that combine music training with career development.
• Beethoven Ensemble Specialized music education program for students with special needs. For families of students with disabilities seeking inclusive music instruction tailored to their needs.
• Paper Orchestra Early childhood music education program using paper-based instruments and methodologies to introduce young children to music. For families with young children seeking early music exposure.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,400+ students served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• New England Revolution / Gillette StadiumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Partnership for 100 BMP students to perform National Anthem at Gillette Stadium, showcasing youth talent at major sporting events.
• Boston Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 32 Boston Public Schools providing music education programs during school hours, before/after school, and summer sessions. Programs serve PreK-12th grade students across diverse Boston neighborhoods.
• UrbanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for summer programs offering students diverse and enriching dance and movement experiences alongside music education.
• Beaver Country Day SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration where middle school students helped design and build paper instrument kits for BMP's kindergarten program, demonstrating cross-school community engagement.
• Johnson String ProjectminorOthersInstrument provider and supporter, helping supply instruments for students in the program.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Berklee College of Music: Boston-based music institution offering private lessons, summer programs, and pre-college training for youth. Comparable in providing Boston-area youth music instruction (including Berklee City Music for underserved students), though at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Carnegie Hall: Major cultural institution with extensive education programs including the National Youth Orchestra USA and LinkUp curriculum for K-12 classrooms. Comparable in providing music education to underserved youth through school partnerships and ensemble programming, though at a significantly larger institutional scale.
• New England Conservatory: Major music conservatory in Boston offering pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, and community programs. Comparable in Boston music education ecosystem presence and pre-college youth training, though at a larger institutional scale with degree-granting authority.

Direct peers

• El Sistema USA: National network of El Sistema-inspired music education programs serving underserved youth through intensive ensemble-based instruction. Directly comparable because BMP's Paper Orchestra is explicitly inspired by El Sistema's methodology and serves a similar youth population.
• Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras: Boston-based youth orchestral training organization serving students through ensembles, private instruction, and performance opportunities. Comparable in geography, youth ensemble focus, and string/woodwind/brass instruction model.
• Community Music Center of Boston: Boston-based nonprofit providing music education, private lessons, and ensemble programs to youth and adults of all backgrounds. Closely comparable in geography, mission (equity-focused music education), and service mix (lessons, ensembles, performances).
• Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock): National nonprofit that partners with public schools to provide free music instruction and instruments to underserved K-12 students. Comparable in mission (equitable access to music education), school-based delivery model, and instrument donation strategy.
• The Music Settlement (Cleveland): Nonprofit music school in Cleveland offering lessons, early childhood music, and community programs to a diverse urban population. Comparable as a similarly structured nonprofit music education provider with a comparable program portfolio (early childhood through adult, lessons, ensembles, performances).

Emerging players

• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: National nonprofit that donates musical instruments and provides program support to schools with underfunded music programs. Comparable in mission (equitable access to music education) and instrument-donation revenue model, but focused on instrument provision rather than direct instruction.
• VH1 Save The Music Foundation: Nonprofit that partners with school districts to create sustainable music programs by providing instruments, technology, and curriculum. Comparable as a school-partnership nonprofit advancing equitable music education access, though focused on grantmaking rather than direct teaching.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdHMp-Wp99mrMPYYxWnzYlg
• Facebookfacebook.com/bosmusicproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/bosmusicproject
• Xx.com/bosmusicproject

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boston Music Project