Mission

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Opus 118 Harlem School of Music provides quality music instruction and teacher development in an environment that nurtures excellence and creativity.

OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENTS

• Excellence in teaching, student activities, and everything we do.
• Access, inclusiveness and opportunity.
• A caring environment.
• A close relationship with our community.

VISION

By 2015, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music will: (1) provide excellent music education to 5,000 students annually; (2) be a nationally recognized center for teacher development; and (3) continuously promote music education as an essential part of learning.

PHILOSOPHY

Learning a musical instrument is a unique way of exposing children to beauty.

Music education is a prime tool to awaken creativity and to teach concentration and focus.

Focused study of a musical instrument affects a student’s academic performance in other subject areas in a positive way.

Structured musical activities for students during the non-school hours are a means of preventing violence and drug abuse.

Music is an instrument of peace, allowing students an emotional release in a time of social conflict and stress while teaching tolerance in a diverse community.

In preparing young minds for a complex world, music education serves not only as a means to teach collaboration and cooperation, but also as a guide in solving complex problems.

Music education creates and expands horizons for children who would otherwise lack the opportunity to experience the benefits that are derived from such an education.