Embracing Cultural Innovation

Last month at Trinity Church in Boston’s Copley Square, the Music National Service Initiative (MNSi) convened a group of education, arts, and civic leaders to discuss the launch of a "musical Peace Corps" called MusicianCorps. MNSi plans to pilot the program domestically, with a focus on school and life success among urban youth. By expanding musical literacy and engagement, MusicianCorps aims to strengthen critical skills required to succeed in the new economy—including persistence and discipline (instrumental, reading, and theory), the courage to take risks (improv and performance), an ability to integrate feedback (critique), work on a team (bands, orchestras, choirs, etc.) and more. We also believe that MusicianCorps can help increase school attendance and grades while reducing violence and other harmful behaviors.

MNSi has considered many cities to launch a MusicianCorps pilot; none has embraced the idea more than Boston. So, yes, kudos to Governor Patrick for his bold investment in the new economy. And thank you Boston for embracing social innovation and creative entrepreneurship.

Kiff Gallagher is a singer-songwriter and Chair of the Music National Service Initiative. He is a past president of Social Venture Network, a former AmeriCorps program officer, and he served in the White House Office of National Service under President Clinton. The Aspen Institute's "Big Ideas Report" recently named MNSi 1 of 10 important new policy proposals to strengthen U.S. communities.