Why shop with a purpose?
Millions of children cannot access the benefits of music education in the United States alone.
Private music instruction is too expensive for many families.
Over 2.1 million children do not have access to free K-12 music programs at all, and millions more are affected by inadequate instructional resources and technology. Learn more.
K-12 programs primarily teach classical music, which is only 0.8% of the music consumed, so children who do not listen to that genre are less likely to enroll. View statistic.
Your shopping helps.
All profit from purchases on this site help to fund access via free, personalized, and relevant music education materials.
Our super secret (shhhh!! don’t tell anyone!!!) plan has three phases. With your purchase, you will help us:
Phase 1
Provide our online concert band and strings methods to an increasing number of K-12 students for free.
Phase 2
Build more free tools to personalize every student’s learning.
Phase 3
Create methods in culturally relevant genres such as hip-hop, rock, pop, and Latin, so we can reach children who aren’t interested in classical music.
The simple way to support music education.
Help keep Practicing Musician free of charge, forever.
Instrument-specific video tutorials that work with music educators, not against them.
Sheet music, assignments, and progress tracking functionality.
100% of our profit is invested in developing innovative technology and enhancing our free methods.
How it works.
Shannon Waldo
“My students were bummed when I told them we wouldn’t use Practicing Musician on Tuesday but celebrated when they learned we’d be at it again on Thursday!“
Dr. Frederick Burrack
“We’ve been waiting for a technological adaptation of the Model Cornerstone Assessments since the re-envisioning of the National Core Arts Standards in 2014. Practicing Musician has provided a viable and useful solution.”
Reese Burgan
“I highly recommend Practicing Musician for anyone who is looking for passionate and effective musicians and teachers.”
Dr. Bret Smith
“I can’t think of a project that is more relevant to our current challenges, with as much potential impact.”
Catherine Stadulis
“My students are always asking, “when can we use Practicing Musician again?!” because they just have such a great time with the program.”
Caitlin Brock
“Having access to Practicing Musician has been one of the best things for my program.”
Mary Ellen Hodges
“Thanks to Practicing Musician, my students are leaps and bounds ahead of where they normally are at this time in the year!”
Stanislaw Hoholuk
“I highly recommend Practicing Musician. It is professional, user-friendly, accessible, and versatile. I was also very impressed by the IT support to resolve questions and issues. And it’s free – you can’t ask for a better price!”
Valerie Coolidge
“I love Practicing Musician’s method. It’s saving me so much time. Today I used it to assign what will be a semester’s worth of work for my HS students, and it only took a half hour. Oh, thank you!!”
When you shop, you make a difference.
K-12 music education is notoriously underfunded. This injustice will take a village to correct, which is why Practicing Musician has become a collaborative effort between people, organizations, and government entities. Our shared belief is that inclusive and diverse music education opportunities should be accessible to all children.
If you share our belief but don’t know how to help, Practicing Musician has made it easier for you to help than ever before. By purchasing products from our growing catalog, you will help us keep our platform free for all K-12 music programs forever.
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All content and teaching tools will be provided to K-12 music programs free of charge, forever, thanks to practicing musicians and music lovers like you who purchase products from our shop as well as our growing network of music-loving donors. We are forever grateful for you, as are the multitudes of educators and kids we serve across the United States.
Our small staff operates as a social purpose corporation based in Seattle, Washington. Our large number of volunteers operate under our 501(c)(3) fiscal agent Realize Impact, and our partners and PM Artists operate autonomously but in unison with our efforts.
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Gifts for every musician in your life.
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Great gift for any occasion
- Help kids in need
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