activities · 13
what they do
direct service · 7
- Peer Mentoring Music Program for Students with Disabilities Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsOperates 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.
- Peer Mentoring Music Program for Students with Disabilities Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsOperates 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 Disabilities Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsOperates 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.
- 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.
- 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.
research · 3
- Longitudinal Research on Psychosocial Development in Music Education Music-Based Psychosocial Development ResearchConducted 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 Education Music-Based Psychosocial Development ResearchConducts 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 Education Music-Based Psychosocial Development ResearchConducts 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.
capacity building · 3
- Capacity Building for Music Educators and Program Leaders Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsProvides 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 Leaders Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsProvides 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 Support Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsRecruits 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.
strategies · 23
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Adaptive and Individualized Music Instruction individualized_instructionAdapts musical parts and instruction to match the individual abilities and aptitudes of new musicians, employing a rehearsal structure that includes group lessons, peer mentorship, and the creation of modified musical parts tailored to each student.
- Individualized and Adaptive Music Instruction adaptive music instructionAdapts musical parts and instruction to match the unique abilities of each student with disabilities, using modified lesson plans, sensory-emotional engagement, and a structured rehearsal model that progresses toward ensemble performance.
- Individualized and Adaptive Music Instruction individualized_instructionAdapts musical parts and instruction to match the individual abilities and aptitudes of new musicians, employing a rehearsal structure that includes group lessons, peer mentorship, and the creation of modified musical parts tailored to each student.
- Institutional Partnership and Performance-Based Chapter Model institutional-partnership-with-faculty-sponsorStructures student chapters around performance, requiring a faculty sponsor to obtain institutional approval, reserve rehearsal space, and coordinate performances, often with ensemble directors to facilitate integration with existing musical groups.
- Institutional Partnership and Performance-Based Chapter Model institutional-partnership-with-faculty-sponsorStructures chapters around performance, requiring student chapters to secure a faculty sponsor (often an ensemble director) to obtain institutional approval, reserve rehearsal space, and coordinate performances, facilitating integration with existing musical groups.
- Longitudinal Research to Validate Psychosocial Impact longitudinal studyEmploys multisite, longitudinal studies to measure and demonstrate improvements in psychosocial outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in the program.
- Longitudinal Study for Psychosocial Impact longitudinal studyUtilizes a multisite, longitudinal school-year study approach to demonstrate improvements in psychosocial measures for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Music as a Tool for Social Change and Inclusion music-for-social-changeUses music as a tool to remove barriers, foster social change, and create a social niche for students with disabilities in high school, promoting personal growth, human connection, and a sense of belonging.
- Music as a Tool for Social Change and Inclusion music-for-social-changeUses music as a tool to remove barriers, foster social change, and provide students with disabilities a social niche and sense of belonging in high school, promoting personal growth and human connection.
- Music as a Tool for Social Inclusion and Personal Growth music-for-social-changeUses music education to create belonging, remove social barriers, and foster human connection, enabling students with disabilities to develop life skills, access a social niche in school, and reach their full potential.
- Peer Mentoring Model for Inclusive Music Education peer_mentoringUses a peer mentoring approach where general education students and teachers provide music instruction to students with disabilities, fostering bidirectional growth in musical and life skills for both mentors and mentees.
- Peer Mentoring for Inclusive Music Education peer_mentoringUtilizes a peer mentoring model where volunteer students and teachers provide music instruction to new participants, fostering foundational music skills and creating bidirectional benefits for both students with disabilities and their mentors.
- Performance-Based Chapter Model with Institutional Integration performance-based-chapter-modelStructures student chapters around musical performance and requires faculty sponsorship—typically from ensemble directors—to secure institutional support, rehearsal space, and integration with existing school music programs.
- Specialized Curriculum for Abstract Music Concepts specialized music curriculumUtilizes the "United Sound Method Book and Flash Card" curriculum, which employs foods and colors to teach abstract musical concepts, making them accessible to students.
- Specialized Curriculum for Abstract Musical Concepts specialized music curriculumUses the "United Sound Method Book and Flash Card" curriculum, which employs foods and colors to teach abstract musical concepts, making them accessible to diverse learners.
- Strengths-Based Inclusive Music Education strengths-based-inclusive-music-educationEngages a multidisciplinary network of music professionals and educators to deliver inclusive music programs that build on individual strengths, promoting a growth mindset by encouraging students to select challenging instruments.
- Strengths-Based and Inclusive Music Education strengths-based-inclusive-music-educationEngages a multidisciplinary network of music professionals and educators to deliver inclusive music programs that build on individual strengths, promoting a growth mindset by encouraging students to select challenging instruments.
- Strengths-Based, Collaborative Program Delivery with Special Education Partners strengths-based-inclusive-music-educationEngages a multidisciplinary team including special education teachers and music professionals in every chapter meeting to ensure instruction builds on individual strengths and is integrated into students’ broader educational context.
- Structured Inclusive Music Curriculum Using Multisensory Teaching Tools specialized music curriculumImplements the "United Sound Method Book and Flash Card" curriculum, which uses foods and colors to make abstract musical concepts accessible, supporting inclusive learning for students with diverse abilities.
- Structured Rehearsal Program structured rehearsal programOrganizes weekly 45-minute rehearsals over a 16-week semester, progressing from group lessons with peer mentors to learning modified musical parts, ensemble practice, and a final performance.
- Structured Rehearsal Program structured rehearsal programOrganizes weekly 45-minute rehearsals over a 16-week semester, progressing from group lessons with peer mentors and teachers to learning modified musical parts, ensemble practice, and a final performance.
- Student-Driven Program Design student-driven programmingEmploys a student-driven model where chapter presidents design lesson plans, create activities, and write modified music parts for new musicians, with monthly support.
- Student-Driven Program Leadership and Curriculum Design student-driven programmingEmpowers student leaders to design lesson plans, create educational activities, and adapt musical parts, fostering ownership and leadership within the program through elected chapter presidents and peer-led instruction.
named programs · 3
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
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.