The Tedrock Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and Massachusetts charitable corporation 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 tax deductible 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).
