It’s been 30 years since then-President Bill Clinton established September as Classical Music Month. Of course, that’s hardly a blip in the long history of classical music. Some of the stars of the genre hail from centuries ago: the Baroque era from 1700-1850 marked the development of what we know as the symphony orchestra; Vivaldi collaborated with the renowned women musicians of Ospedale della Pietà during the early 1700s; Beethoven composed Für Elise in 1810; and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was first performed in the 1870s (and was considered a failure at the time).  

Fortunately, times have changed and, thanks to organizations like the ones we share below, music lovers no longer have to be born wealthy or passed through the window of the Ospedale della Pietà orphanage as an infant to receive an excellent musical education. 

The Nonprofits

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Young People’s Chorus of New York City Inc

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb virtuosity, brilliant showmanship and innovative model of artistic excellence and diversity that enriches the community. Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year, YPC’s mission and values are deeply rooted in providing children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance. It is committed to empowering its youth and providing pathways to success through the arts so that each child, no matter what race, gender, socioeconomic background or religion can reach their full potential.

YPC uses a Core Profile fundraising page to collect donations through its website. YPC has also used Give Lively-powered Campaign Pages to fundraise to help cover travel expenses for competitions in New Zealand, Denver and North Carolina. YPC also set up a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising page for each traveling chorister.  

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World Children’s Choir

Established in 1990, this organization serves as a voice for children worldwide – giving voice to the interests of all children, celebrating cultural diversity through music, promoting positive international relations and asking people to work together to create a peaceful, healthy world for children. World Children's Choir (WCC) welcomes children and teens living in Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, DC, area to join local rehearsals and concerts. Children, teens and adults worldwide are invited to join in the Global Family Virtual Choir video projects and livestreamed fundraising concerts for international children’s charities. WCC singers have performed at The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center and the White House.

WCC is using a Give Lively-powered Event Ticketing page for its Benefit Concert for Children in Gaza, taking place virtually on September 21, 2024. 

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TENET Vocal Artists 

Preeminent New York City-based early music ensemble TENET Vocal Artists trusts in the power of music to bring joy and peace to our 21st century world. Under Artistic Director Jolle Greenleaf, TENET Vocal Artists has won acclaim for its innovative programming, virtuosic singing and command of repertoire that spans the Middle Ages to the present day.

TENET Vocal Artists uses a Simple Donation Widget to collect donations on its website.

MUSICOPIA INC

This organization is a leader in revitalizing school music programs in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing equitable access to music programming. Through a teaching roster of professional ensembles and solo musicians of the highest caliber, Musicopia helps pre-K to 12th-grade students explore and develop their musical interests, learn to play an instrument and perform alongside enthusiastic peers through in-school assemblies, workshops and residencies, and long-term ensembles including the after-school Musicopia String Orchestra and Musicopia Drumlines. 

Musicopia uses a Core Profile fundraising page to collect donations through its website.

Midwest Young Artists Conservatory

As the Midwest’s largest youth music ensemble program, this organization offers orchestral, chamber, jazz and choral music education of the highest quality. Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC) empowers nearly 1,000 students annually of all ages and abilities, from 84 communities in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana to study and rehearse at its home in Highwood, Illinois. The MYAC community emphasizes individual musical and personal growth, building lifelong friendships, learning lessons of hard work, perseverance, teamwork, respect, leadership and giving back to the community.

Midwest Young Artists Conservatory has used Give Lively Event Ticketing pages to sell tickets for its performances, including the Music @ The Fort Recital series, featuring the Chicago National Chamber Music Competition Winners.

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Brooklyn Youth Chorus

This organization offers world-class voice training for young people, grades 2-12, with an emphasis on healthy vocal development, music literacy and group performance. The Brooklyn Youth Chorus, based in New York City, also features multiple performing ensembles, known for delivering professional-level performances in a wide variety of settings, from concert halls to professional recording studios.

Brooklyn Youth Chorus uses a Branded Donation Widget to collect donations on its website.