irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $56KComposer project - we worked to form strategic alliances with teachers, students, and composers. For teachers, we are working on making the process of finding and obtaining diverse new music easier. For students, we are working on increasing access and opportunity, enabling more young people to play more diverse music at much younger ages. For composers, we are building structure to support the writing and distribution process.
- #2 $31KPlay with US Program: this program was created as we navigated the "new normal" during the pandemic. Even though our peer mentoring programs couldn't meet in person, our focus still remained on students with disabilities and by extension their teachers and parents. The Play with US program brings the music class directly into self-contained special education classrooms by partnering with schools across the country to provide weekly interactive videoconference music classes (synchronous and asynchronous options were and still are available each week). At the junior high and high school levels, general music is typically not an option and electives were being cancelled and postponed. Play with US enables special education teachers who are teaching in person or virtually to participate with their students in an active music-making class that utilizes the existing United Sound curriculum and foundations. In addition to weekly music classes, instrument kits were provided to all participants and their teachers truly making this an interactive and fun class for all. For the 22-23 academic year, we had 45 classrooms/teachers participating in Play with US and were able to bring the joy of music into the lives of over 450 special education students
named programs · 3 · from sources
what they call their work
Collegiate Chapters
Student-led United Sound chapters at colleges that provide inclusive music-making opportunities for individuals with disabilities in higher education settings
Peer Mentoring Program
Structured mentoring initiative where trained student volunteers support New Musicians in developing musical and life skills through weekly rehearsals and performances
United Sound School Program
School-based inclusive instrumental music program where general education music students mentor peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities in learning instruments and performing together
activities · 4 groups
what they do
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Peer-Led Music Instruction Program 10 activities
- Peer Mentoring Music ProgramOperates a peer mentoring program where students teach band instruments to other students through weekly group rehearsals, culminating in a joint performance. The program provides curriculum materials, ongoing support, and facilitates instrument selection and exchanges.
- Peer Mentoring Music ProgramOperates a peer mentoring program where students teach band instruments to other students through weekly group rehearsals, culminating in a joint performance. The program provides curriculum materials, ongoing support, and facilitates instrument selection and exchanges.
- Peer Mentoring Music ProgramOperates a peer mentoring program where students teach band instruments to other students through weekly group rehearsals, culminating in a joint performance. The program provides curriculum materials, ongoing support, and facilitates instrument selection and exchanges for participating students.
- Peer Mentoring Music ProgramOperates a peer mentoring program where students teach band instruments to other students through weekly group rehearsals, culminating in a joint performance. The program provides curriculum materials, ongoing support, and facilitates instrument selection and exchanges.
- Peer Mentoring Music Program for Students with DisabilitiesOperates a peer mentoring program where student musicians (Peer Mentors) teach band instruments to fellow students (New Musicians) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, culminating in joint performances at the end of each semester. Includes weekly 45-minute group rehearsals, individualized musical part creation, and full ensemble dress rehearsals.
- Peer Mentoring Music Program for Students with DisabilitiesOperates a peer mentoring program where student musicians (Peer Mentors) teach band instruments to fellow students, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (New Musicians), through weekly 45-minute group rehearsals and individualized musical part creation, culminating in joint semester-end performances.
- Peer Mentoring Music Program for Students with DisabilitiesOperates a peer mentoring program where student musicians (Peer Mentors) teach band instruments to fellow students, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (New Musicians), through weekly 45-minute group rehearsals and individualized musical support, culminating in joint semester-end performances.
- Student Enrollment and Instrument Support ProgramGuides students in selecting appropriate band or orchestra instruments based on program enrollment and emotional connection, while advising against choices based solely on perceived ease. Facilitates instrument exchanges and provides replacement materials when needed. Requires a $35 annual participation fee, which includes curriculum materials, a t-shirt, and ongoing support.
- Student Music Enrollment and Instrument SupportGuides students in selecting appropriate band or orchestra instruments based on program enrollment and emotional connection, while advising against choices based on perceived ease; facilitates instrument exchanges and provides replacement materials when needed.
- Student Music Program Enrollment and Instrument SupportGuides students in selecting appropriate band or orchestra instruments based on program enrollment and emotional connection, advises against choosing instruments solely for ease, and facilitates instrument exchanges and replacement materials when needed; provides curriculum, a t-shirt, and ongoing support for a $35 annual participation fee.
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Music Educator Professional Development 7 activities
- Capacity Building for Music EducatorsProvides training, support, organizational resources, and curriculum to musicians and educators to create equitable opportunities through music education, including recruiting student leaders for chapter continuity.
- Capacity Building for Music EducatorsProvides training, support, organizational resources, and curriculum to musicians and educators to create equitable opportunities through music education, including recruiting student leaders for chapter continuity.
- Capacity Building for Music EducatorsProvides training, support, organizational resources, and curriculum to musicians and educators to create equitable opportunities through music education. This includes recruiting student leaders to ensure leadership continuity within chapters.
- Capacity Building for Music EducatorsProvides training, support, organizational resources, and curriculum to musicians and educators to create equitable opportunities through music education. This includes recruiting student leaders to ensure leadership continuity within chapters.
- Capacity Building for Music Educators and Program LeadersProvides training, organizational resources, curriculum, and support to musicians and educators to establish and sustain equitable music education programs; supports leadership continuity by recruiting two student co-presidents per chapter.
- Capacity Building for Music Educators and Program LeadersProvides training, organizational resources, curriculum materials, and ongoing support to educators and musicians to help them establish and sustain equitable music education programs; supports leadership continuity by recruiting two student co-presidents per chapter.
- Leadership Development and Chapter SupportRecruits and supports student co-presidents (ideally one older and one younger) to lead chapters, ensuring leadership continuity. Provides training, organizational resources, curriculum, and support to educators and musicians to expand equitable music education opportunities.
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Teacher & Classroom Support Grants 1 activity
- Program Materials and Support for Participating StudentsProvides curriculum materials, a t-shirt, and ongoing program support to students who pay the annual $35 participation fee.
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Uncategorized 7 activities
- Longitudinal Research on Psychosocial Development in Music EducationConducted and published a longitudinal research study in 2026 examining the psychosocial development of 60 New Musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, using a custom 10-measure Special Education Student Assessment (SESA) tool, which showed statistically significant improvements across all domains, including 29.8% improvement in stress endurance, 24.7% in impulse control, 24.5% in resilience, and 18.8% in self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development Through Music EducationConducts longitudinal research on the psychosocial development of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in music programs, including the design and use of the 10-measure Special Education Student Assessment (SESA) tool; published findings showing significant improvements in stress endurance, impulse control, resilience, and self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development in Music EducationConducts longitudinal research on the psychosocial development of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in music programs. Published findings in 2026 showing statistically significant improvements across 10 SESA measures, including 29.8% improvement in stress endurance, 24.7% in impulse control, 24.5% in resilience, and 18.8% in self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development through MusicConducts longitudinal research on the psychosocial development of New Musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the design and application of the 10-measure Special Education Student Assessment (SESA) tool to observe improvements in areas like impulse control, resilience, and self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development through Music EducationConducts longitudinal research, including the development of the 10-measure Special Education Student Assessment (SESA) tool, to examine the psychosocial development of New Musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research has shown statistically significant improvements in areas like enduring stressful situations, impulse control, resilience, and self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development through Music EducationConducts longitudinal research, including publishing findings in academic journals, to examine the psychosocial development of New Musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This involves designing and utilizing a specialized assessment tool (SESA) to measure improvements in areas like impulse control, resilience, and self-confidence.
- Research on Psychosocial Development through Music EducationConducts longitudinal research, including publishing findings in academic journals, to examine the psychosocial development of New Musicians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This includes designing and utilizing the 10-measure Special Education Student Assessment (SESA) tool to observe improvements in areas like impulse control, resilience, and self-confidence.
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financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$353K
Contributions & grants$237K67%
Program service revenue$112K32%
Investment income$6610%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$296K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$176K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$419K
Cash$419K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$412K
Liquid reserves16.9 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -5.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie Duty | Executive Director | 60 | $78K |
board members · 5
- Allison Hall — Secretary
- Brian Mikes — Chairman
- Jamal Duncan — Member
- Kelli Archibald — Treasurer
- Luis Vidal — Member
relationships · 17
who they work with
- Arizona Financial Funder — Corporate sponsor of United Sound.
- Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs Partner — The partnership with the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs creates performances and professional development opportunities at the annual ABLE Assembly Conference, and provides collaborative professional development presentations, workshops, and resources through the ABLE Music Resource Center to support educators.
- Blue Devils Partner — United Sound students have the opportunity to perform in exhibition with the Blue Devils each summer for spectators around the country.
- D'Addario Foundation Partner — Through a partnership, United Sound and the D'Addario Foundation are working to make music accessible to students with disabilities at 50 schools in Illinois.
- Midwest Clinic Partner — United Sound performs annually at the Midwest Clinic, an instrumental music education conference, and collaborates on projects outside the conference to provide professional development to educators, service opportunities to students, and music to underserved learners.
- Music for All Funder — Founding sponsor of United Sound.
- Music for All Partner — Music for All is United Sound's largest programming partner, featuring United Sound students annually at various events including Bands of America Marching Band Championships, Music for All National Festival, Music for All Summer Symposium, and as members of the Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
- Remo, Inc. Funder — Corporate sponsor of United Sound.
- Surack Family Foundation Funder — Foundation sponsor of United Sound.
- Sweetwater Funder — Corporate sponsor of United Sound.
- Tempe Diablos Funder — Foundation sponsor of United Sound.
- United Sound Network — Operates a program implemented across schools where students participate in a structured music mentoring curriculum.
- Varsity Performing Arts Funder — Corporate sponsor of United Sound.
- Yamaha Partner — Featured as a partner with a publication called SupportED, which shares Yamaha's commitment to music education.
- Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute Funder — Provided a generous grant to fund the research study.
- ensemble Partner — Coordinates with an ensemble for performances through the faculty sponsor.
- music store Partner — Collaborates with music stores to facilitate instrument rentals and exchanges for students.