Pulled from reports written by Dr. Joyce Drayton, organized by Abby Rolland*
As part of The Presser Foundation’s drive to be more transparent and to amplify the work of its partners, it uses information from grant reports to highlight its grantees.
Each post will spotlight one partner, who has final say over the contents and structure of the post. In this way, the Foundation hopes to not only use information from grant reports (which often go unread and unused), but also to shine the light on many wonderful music organizations.
This post focuses on The Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of Music (GEGISOM), a community music school where Philadelphia youth can experience social, cognitive and cultural development through music and the performing arts in the community of North Philadelphia. GEGISOM also provides a venue for adults to be trained in music and the development of music careers and provides quality music education / training to schools and organizations in their community. The Presser Foundation is proud to have supported GEGISOM with general operating support since 2019.
Background
Established in 1999, The Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational Music School is dedicated to the memory of Georgia E. Gregory and her contributions to the field of music. GEGISOM has a diversified curriculum, which represents all genres and music styles, that serves students who enroll for music and performing arts education. The school is committed to investing in the academic and artistic development of youth in North Philadelphia and believes that every child who desires to study the arts in their community has the resources to do so. Youth are inspired to tell their story through music, dance, spoken word, or drama to discover their strengths and face the many social, emotional, racial, and economic trials they have. GEGISOM challenges youth to aspire to be leaders and entrepreneurs motivated to give back to marginalized communities by mentoring and educating underserved youth.
Programming
GEGISOM offers individual and group instruction in piano, organ, keyboard, guitar, percussion, violin, voice, handbells, ballet, hip hop, and praise dancing. It offers music tech classes, a summer music camp, and youth leadership program.
In a community riddled with gun violence, GEGISOM provides youth the space to create what they are feeling inside, to express emotions often unspoken, and to express the anger and frustration of social, emotional, racial, and economic injustices, while creating an atmosphere for cognitive social and cultural development. Youth select the instrument they desire to study, have conversations on why they made that choice, and then prepare lesson plans to meet goals collaboratively identified.
GEGISOM also partners with three neighboring schools – Cleveland Mastery Charter School, Maraina Bracetti Academy Charter School, and Cristo Rey High School – to offer music instruction and programming. GEGISOM offers basic music education and music production courses twice a week, twice a day for students, and continues to expand offerings as needed. At the end of each of the eight-week courses, they anticipate that at least 88% of the students will have some basic music knowledge, with several participants sharing their newly created compositions with their class. The other students are then able to perform 2-3 measures of the song performed. Some of the students are invited share their work at GEGISOM’s community performances during Christmas, Black History Month, and the annual June Recital.
Equity
The staff and Board of Directors, which are reflective of the community the organization serves, advocates for policies that promote inclusivity and equal opportunities. GEGISOM developed a holistic set of actions that center diversity, equity, and inclusion and review their work on a regular basis.
The organization:
- Sees diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to the mission.
- Acknowledges and dismantles any inequities within their policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually updates and reports on their progress.
- Advocates for and supports board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact GEGISOM’s work, and how best to address those in a way that is consistent with their mission.
- Practices and encourages transparent communication in all interactions.
- Commits time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within their board, staff, committee, volunteers, and advisory bodies.
- Leads with respect and tolerance. They expect all employees / independent contractors to embrace this notion and to express it in workplace interactions and through everyday practices.
- Includes this policy in hiring, onboarding, and orientation processes for new employees, volunteers, board members, committee members, etc.
- Has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and harassment.
- Has opened a conversation with employees and volunteers about what diversity, inclusion, and equity mean to them. These conversations help the employees feel heard and included, and their insight helps GEGISOM enhance the policy. They conduct monthly, quarterly, or annual check-ins with employees to see how they perceive their efforts are faring.
Impact
GEGISOM’s programs seek to encourage creativity in each individual – creativity that turns emotions into positive statements, positive movements, and positive outcomes. The organization has four main goals:
- Students will develop their confidence through performing in front of peers.
- Students will have the opportunity to foster teamwork and a sense of belonging.
- Students will use music as a tool for emotional regulation as well as processing emotions.
- Students will use their creation to tell their story.
In an underserved community, helping youth identify or experience their creative potential in the arts can and will enhance each student’s personal growth and skill development, while also bringing joy or peace to many who are challenged daily with social, racial, financial, cultural, and economic injustices. Bringing positivity and unity in the midst of the violent behaviors can effect change.
As GEGISOM celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer and founder/executive director Dr. Joyce Drayton retires in September, the music school will continue to provide much needed services in North Philadelphia.
*Special thanks to Dr. Joyce Drayton, Founder and Executive Director of GEGISOM, for contributing to this blog post through writing various applications and reports for The Presser Foundation.
