Song Onlus – Sistema Lombardia - Community

Over the course of almost ten years since its inception SONG Onlus – Sistema Lombardia  has successfully nurtured social integration for disadvantaged children and their families in the Lombardy region of Italy, through free access to ensemble music-making and singing in schools and social centres. An inclusive, non-elitist approach to music builds bridges between diverse cultures and backgrounds and also enables timely discovery of musical talent for a professional career.

The BBT Communities grant will support SONG for Sharing, a two-year project synchronised with school terms which will introduce regular sessions of instrumental and choral practice in more neighbourhoods in Milan and other cities in Lombardy.  They will combine with public performances to continue raising awareness of wider humanitarian issues experienced by disadvantaged populations including special needs and immigrants.

IMPACT

Read Song Onlus’ BBT Blog, The Anchor of Awareness

Many of us at SONG onlus are musicians who feel the need to multiply what music has given us and share how it can enhance life. Being acquainted with the exemplary mission of the BBT in supporting young artists, we were delighted about the expansion towards the aims of social change through the arts. We were also greatly encouraged by the suggestion to be part of the first call for proposals. On the basis of our consistent engagement, we outlined a programme expansion over two years, and the ensuing grant enabled first a joyful season including a number of outreach events, as well as alternative pathways when the pandemic threatened to stop all joint activities. True accessibility is a principle which “SONG for sharing” will keep promoting. The other tenet of quality implies both awareness of and familiarity with good music: and this is also how we hope that our gratitude towards BBT will also in the future lead to collaboration with their brilliant young artists, who will become motivating models for our enthusiastic youngsters. Ongoing, harmonious thanks!