Keeping Children Off the Streets

The Long Beach Harmony Project helps keep children off the streets through music.

According to a Long Beach Harmony promotional video, the program serves at-risk youth in under-resourced areas and “comes to Long Beach as part of the Safe Neighborhood Initiative from the Long Beach Police Department, in partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach Education and community partners.”

The nonprofit Harmony Project was founded in 2001 and serves the Los Angeles area. It came to Long Beach in October 2015.

The program is offered to second, third, fourth and fifth graders at five LBUSD schools; Addams, Chavez, Edison, Harte and Muir.

Once children are accepted into the program, Long Beach Harmony commits to providing music education all the way through high school at no cost to parents. Students become immersed with their instrument of choice; violin, viola or cello.

In addition to practicing at home, students attend a one-hour, after-school class once per week and three hours on Saturday.

They learn music theory, musicianship, how to sing, movement, art, as well as develop character, the video states.

The study and application of music increases intelligence, helps teamwork, fosters an understanding of other cultures, among other positive outcomes.

Currently 220 students are enrolled in Long Beach Harmony and students showcased their talent recently at the Long Beach Harmony Project Third Annual Gala at the Terrace Theater Foyer, Dec. 13.

LBPD Chief Robert Luna, who attended the concert and has been part of Long Beach Harmony for several years, expressed joy at the program’s success.

“This is an excellent program that helps kids learn good habits, allows them to stay busy with positive activities and provides access to excellent role models and mentors,” he told the Beachcomber through email.

“My support in this program is in line with the Long Beach Police Department’s mission of ‘Public Safety through Partnerships.’ The partnership with the Harmony Project, the Long Beach Unified School District and the LBPD creates opportunities for our kids and benefits the entire community,” he said.

Luna said Long Beach Harmony is important because it promotes personal and academic growth for the children.

“It is an excellent program that focuses on intervention and prevention through meaningful relationships and experiences,” he added.

Regarding the holiday concert, Luna said it was very inspiring.

“I watched the kids perform and thought that along with all the great things they are learning, they have also learned how to be courageous. It is not easy to sit in front of a crowd and play a musical instrument as well as they did,” he said.

“The Harmony Project is an important part of the Long Beach community as it fulfills its mission of promoting growth in kids, building healthier communities through music and developing children as musical ambassadors. I was able to experience its impact first hand (last) week and left feeling uplifted by the talented kids who performed,” Luna added.

kirt@beachcomber.news