Kids in Concert Inc

“The form 990 is reviewed by members prior to filing.”

“AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST”

“Creating compassionate citizens of the world through the healing and developmental power of music. Kids in concert (kic) is a free, el sistema inspired, after-school music program for students ages 5 to 18 from north kitsap county, wa. Most come from low to moderate income homes and are eligible for free/reduced lunch. Nearly 45% of our students are bipoc, and approximately 43% of those children are tribal members. Over 62% have special needs, have experienced adverse childhood events, or both. Kids who have been sidelined through adversity are able to grow in self confidence and resolve as they work to achieve excellence through music amid a welcoming, respectful, and aspiring community. We have ten part time staff and twenty-eight teenage volunteer mentors who are musicians. They teach, provide tutoring, and sooth hurt feelings. When our students reach 6th grade, we promote them to student mentors. They continue to play in the ensemble, take lessons and sing in the choir, but they also work with younger students, taking on a leadership role. Our goal is to help guide our students and mentors toward becoming resilient and compassionate adults. Every child quickly learns acceptance regardless of abilities or circumstances. Each learns that music is the great leveler; every player is equal. The children grow in responsibility to do their best, playing the right note at the same time all the way through the concert with their fellow musicians. What an amazing boost to confidence and a joyful experience based on hard work and persistence. Building trust and respect builds a just society, not only within kic, but extends to families, schools and communities. Musical training involves self discipline and integrity. It produces team players, good listeners, a work ethic, stretched imaginations, and improved decision-making. The students feel joy in the work and play and develop strong friendships in an atmosphere that is caring and compassionate. We believe that kic builds voices in children that have previously been silenced. It is a small step to build youth into whole, responsible and compassionate citizens of the world who can make good decisions for themselves and find a pathway to personal success.”

“Kids in concert ("kic") provides music education to students in the north kitsap area. Established using the values of el sistema, kic is building an orchestra from the ground up. Our amazing staff and volunteers have been the key to building a unique program that in addition to fostering children in their music education, creates a caring community of teachers, volunteers, students and parents within our already special community. In order to accomplish this, there are three main components that enable the education: 1. All students are provided with an instrument to take care of and learn on. We have kids playing violins, violas, cellos, basses, flutes, percussion and choir. As the orchestra grows, we will continue to add instruments. 2. One of the special aspects of kic is the mentorship program. We have kids, ages 12 to 18 who are leaders in the program, offering assistance to the younger kids. The mentors are a combination of kids in the community who volunteer and kids who have grown in the program from students to student mentors. 3. Volunteers are an integral part of making kic successful. From weekly music instruction to cookie friday, volunteers help kic run.”