$3-million gift will help RI Philharmonic expand music education for students of color

Linda Borg, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

PAWTUCKET — The Papitto Opportunity Connection has donated $3 million to the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School to expand music education for students of color.

The funds, part of a four-year partnership with the philharmonic, support two key goals: improving access to high-quality music education for children of color and ensuring that the philharmonic represents and is connected to the diverse communities it serves.

The announcement was made Tuesday at the Agnes E. Little Elementary School in Pawtucket, where the "Victoria’s Dream Project" will be expanded to the Henry Winter Elementary School later this year.

Barbara Papitto, center, with Papitto Opportunity Connection advisory board members Ting Barnard, right, and Arnell Milhouse, second from left, in Providence last year.
Barbara Papitto, center, with Papitto Opportunity Connection advisory board members Ting Barnard, right, and Arnell Milhouse, second from left, in Providence last year.

The Victoria’s Dream Project is a performance-based string instruction program for students in grades three to five at Agnes Little that provides students with a free string instrument, afterschool academic support and afterschool music instruction three days a week.

Opinion/Neves: Music deserves as much attention as athletics

The philharmonic is also conducting research into the effects of offering enhanced music instruction to Pawtucket students through Papitto-funded projects.

Brown University’s Urban Education Policy Program Director Kenneth Wong will track the musical, academic, and social-emotional growth of participating students and determine if the program helps narrow achievement gaps for children of color.

The philharmonic will program more works by composers of color, increasing diversity on its stages and making its performances accessible to more individuals and communities through livestreamed events, neighborhood concerts, and other initiatives, according to a news release by the Papitto nonprofit.

Brittle Bone Disease: As a toddler, Tyler learned he had a rare bone disease. Now, at 9, he's playing baseball.

The Papitto Opportunity Connection, founded by Barbara Papitto, is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to closing achievements gaps in education 

From Mark Patinkin: Seeing Tidewater Landing up close with Pawtucket's mayor, who worries the state won't step up

Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pawtucket RI students will get more opportunities for music education