MUSIC EDUCATION
Develops Self-Confidence
Increases Motivation for School
Improves Academic Achievement
Fosters Parental Engagement
Promotes Diversity & Inclusion
News & Events
Bringing music back to schools
Give Back to Music
Music has given each of us something: a first instrument, a teacher who believed in us, a song that became part of our lives. This giving season, we have an opportunity to give something back.
Through December 31, our year-end Colorado Gives Day campaign will help bring sustained, high-quality music education into under-resourced public schools, providing dedicated teachers, instruments, performance opportunities, and programs designed to last.
Help more children discover what music can mean in their own lives.
🎁 LEARN MORE
Cashmere Christmas
On December 11, Cashmere Christmas returns to Cervantes’ Other Side for a night celebrating Denver’s music community, featuring Nick Gerlach’s Cultet and special guests.
This year, the show will also give back to music education, with $1 from every ticket sold donated to ETM-CO.
We’re grateful to the artists behind Cashmere Christmas and to our longtime partners at Cervantes for once again turning live music into support for students across Colorado.
🎟️ TICKETS
Art Belongs
ETM-CO’s program at Dora Moore, Denver’s oldest public school, was chosen as the first story to introduce Art Belongs, a new statewide campaign from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation making the case that arts learning belongs in every young person’s education.
As an Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth (EAL) grant partner, we are proud to see the voices of our students and educators helping advance a broader conversation about access to arts education and the power of music to build confidence, connection, and belonging.
📣 CAMPAIGN PAGE
Musicianship in Business
Many successful professionals can trace qualities like creativity, confidence, adaptability, and collaboration back to music.
This new ETM-CO initiative brings together executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators who recognize that connection and want to help ensure today’s students have access to the same opportunity.
Through a growing ambassador community, leaders will help expand awareness, open doors, and strengthen support for music education across Colorado.
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Festival 2026
On May 12, ETM-CO’s 5th annual ALL TOGETHER NOW! FESTIVAL brought students, families, educators, artists, and community partners to the Newman Center for the Performing Arts for a joyful celebration of music education.
From hands-on workshops to a culminating public performance ending with our students on stage alongside DOGTAGS, celebrated by families and ETM-CO supporters, the day reflected the creativity, confidence, and connection that music helps unlock in children.
👉 LEARN MORE
Arts Education Month
📣 Education Through Music-Colorado was honored to be present at the Colorado State Capitol on March 2, when the Senate unanimously adopted a bipartisan resolution designating March as Arts Education Month.
Led by the CBCA and Think 360 Arts for Learning, this initiative highlights the essential role of the arts in a well-rounded education and encourages schools, organizations, and communities to celebrate arts learning throughout the month.
We are proud to join organizations across the state in celebrating the power of arts education and advocating for greater access for all students.
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The Challenge
The downsizing of school budgets too often results in the elimination of music programs, despite their proven potential to support students’ emotional, behavioral, and relational development.
Our mission is to bring music back to schools so that all students, regardless of social or economic status, have access to a well-rounded education.
Music is integrated into the school day through exceptional music teachers. These educators are trained to foster inclusive classrooms and strengthen family and community engagement.
Our Impact
We started small, with two school partnerships and 678 students in 2019. Since then, our work has continued to grow in response to increasing needs across public education.
In the 2025–26 school year, we are now reaching more than 5,000 students.
Of these, 3,000 attend schools unable to offer music, where we provide direct, in-school instruction and extracurricular ensembles. An additional 2,500 are reached through educator professional development and coaching programs that support the teachers who serve them.
Make It Possible
National Network
Education Through Music is one of the country’s leading music education nonprofit movements. With a presence in New York, Los Angeles, and Colorado, its national nonprofit network has reached more than 500,000 students over the past 30 years.