Tedrock Fund for Children’s
Music Education

The Tedrock Fund is a Massachusetts state registered public charity committed to the support of music education for underserved children in Massachusetts. Over the past decade, we’ve seen funding for music education in public school systems cut dramatically. Today, some children lack access to any musical instruments or instruction. In areas where instruction is made available, all too often exorbitant fees make that education unaffordable.

We know that music education provides a variety of cognitive benefits to children’s developing minds1, 2. Playing music gives kids a means for self-expression, and learning an instrument builds self-confidence. In a larger sense, music promotes community amongst fellow musicians and audiences, and fosters goodwill.

The Tedrock Fund prioritizes music education and collaboration. We help realize the aspirations of kids with the drive to learn to play an instrument through grants and scholarships to organizations that provide music instruction and vocational skills, and through direct grants to children to procure instruments and lessons that are otherwise unavailable to them.

The Tedrock Fund was established to memorialize Ted Collins, a beloved Boston rock musician who died unexpectedly in 2017, at the age of 49. Ted was fortunate enough to have been enrolled in piano lessons as a young child.  These lessons sparked a long and abiding love for music, and a commitment to develop the skills to play multiple instruments. Through his pursuit of music, he was able to express himself creatively, develop friendships with fellow musicians and share live music experiences with audiences throughout the Boston area. Music built Ted’s community, and music will continue to do the same for children who benefit from this legacy fund.

Please make a donation to the Tedrock Fund to show your support for music education for children and a commitment to building community through music.

1. Skoe, E. and N. Kraus, A little goes a long way: how the adult brain is shaped by musical training in childhood. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2012. 32(34): p. 11507-11510.

2. Miendlarzewska, E. and W. Trost, How musical training affects cognitive development: rhythm, reward and other modulating variables. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2014. Vol.47 (279).

 

100 Sparks Flying

In the past month, the Tedrock Fund has awarded 10,000 dollars to two amazing organizations that provide music education for inner city kids.  We made our first award to the ZUMIX Music School, whom we founded the Tedrock Fund to benefit.  Ted Collins had gotten to know about this school by playing at a fundraiser for them with the Figgs.  During this event, he got to see first hand how ZUMIX was making a meaningful impact on the kids whom they served.  Several bands of students played alongside the Figgs and they exuded confidence and mastery of their instruments. ... Read More.

Tedrock Fund’s first award going to Boston music school

the Tedrock Fund will present its first award of $7,500 to ZUMIX, an East Boston-based nonprofit that offers a variety of music and creative technology programs to local youths. Source: Tedrock Fund’s first award going to Boston music school – The Newburyport Daily... Read More.

Graham Parker rocks out for the Tedrock Fund on July 19th

The Tedrock Fund is thrilled to present recording artist Graham Parker at the Firehouse Theater in Newburyport on July 19th! Graham Parker emerged early in his career as one of the most critically acclaimed singer/songwriters who defined England’s early pub rock scene in the ’70s. Drawing heavily from Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones, Parker fused driving rock & roll with confessional folk-rock. In 1976, Parker’s high-energy debut album Howlin’ Wind preceded the arrival of punk rock and new wave music. His indignant passion, biting sarcasm, and bristling anger, as well as his working-class persona are cited as a... Read More.

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