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Notes for Notes
updated: Nov 06, 2010, 8:30 AM
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Notes for Notes (N4N) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing youth
with free access to music instruments, instruction and recording studio
environments so that music can have a profoundly positive influence in their
lives. In short, we build after-school recording studio environments called
MusicBoxes that are packed with electric guitars, drums, keyboards/synthes,
turntables, music creation software and the full studio. Inspired by working
with the Big Brothers program, the lack of contemporary musical equipment in
schools and ever increasing voids left by budget cuts, N4N was co-founded by
Phillip Gilley. N4N was founded on the core belief that music is the universal
language of humankind, and has the power to transcend virtually any barrier-be
it economic, cultural, racial, or societal. As such, music promises a route via
which youth may redirect their energy into activities that benefit themselves,
their community, and the world at large.
N4N built and operated the first MusicBox Studio in the City's 1235 Teen Center
from March 2007-December 2008 and after a year of operation discovered that most
of the youth we were trying to reach went to the Boy's and Girls Club. In 2008
we partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara
Bowl on a flagship MusicBox Studio that could accommodate all of the kids who
wanted to participate. In addition to the day-to-day studio sessions, Notes for
Notes has put on concert events with Peter Noone and Jeff Bridges and provided
live performance opportunities for the youth at SoHo and the Lobero Theater. As
part of the "Learn from a Legend" program, the kids have worked with
internationally-known musicians Ziggy Marley and Robin Thicke. N4N has garnered
major support from the Santa Barbara Bowl and musicians such as Martin Gore,
Seymour Duncan, David Crosby and Glen Phillips.
In the MusicBox, kids from 5-18 can explore music in a variety of different
programs. The Guitar, The Drums, The Turntables, The Keyboard and OutLoud
(vocal instruction) classes teach students basic through intermediate skills and
techniques while learning a song of their choice. Digital Beats and Recording
classes instruct students how to use cutting-edge digital recording software and
equipment to create original beats and record songs. The Score! is a
collaborative program that brings filmmakers and musicians together to learn
about scoring and producing a film soundtrack. The above classes are offered on
a regular weekly basis. We also have special programs: E-Label instructs
students how to market, produce and distribute their music; and Learn from a
Legend coordinates workshops with accomplished musicians.
We are currently developing our second MusicBox in the Westside Boys and Girls
Club set to open this Fall. The partnership with the United Boys and Girls Club
of Santa Barbara continues to grow and will result in the installation of
additional MusicBoxes throughout the county. In addition to providing these
resources to youth in Santa Barbara, we have begun investigating taking the
organization on the road with our sights set on Nashville next !
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