Little Masters Project

​We are proud to announce that the Little Masters Project is returning this fall! ​Through this program, students with limited financial means are provided with the following:

• Free instruments to keep upon completion of the program
• Free private music lessons at the University of Delaware
  
• Free music theory classes - Saturdays at 9AM on Zoom
• Performance opportunity in January 2023​​

​​Instruments offered: ​Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone

​*Students who already own/play another instrument are also encouraged to apply​

Feel free to reach out to us at mpoutreach@udel.edu​ with any questions.

About the application process: 

Step 1: Submit your application here.​

Step 2: Within a few days, our program staff will reach out to you to let you know if your child has been provisionally accepted. If they are, you will be asked to fill out our online registration form and our ​​Application for Financial Aid​ (which must be printed and then mailed or hand-delivered). 

Step 3: Once program staff have reviewed your additional documents, you will be notified of your child's​ acceptance to the program. If accepted, you will be scheduled for an orientation session and connected with an LMP private teacher to schedule your child's lessons.

In September of 2017, the UD Little Masters Project (LMP), presented by the UD Master Players Concert Series (Master Players), was launched to provide free private music lessons, music theory classes and instruments to children of low-income households in Delaware and the nearby tri-state communities. The mission of LMP is to provide music education and opportunities to students in need because we believe that experiencing live music is essential for children of all backgrounds.

The first school to benefit from this program was Bayard Middle School in Wilmington, DE, and the project has been a resounding success. On Dec. 9, 2017, just three months after launching the project, four students from Bayard Middle School walked onstage at the Master Players' Holiday Pops concert at the University of Delaware to show what they learned in front of an audience of almost 600 people. (Check out a video from that event here.​) The students collaborated with their teachers for a performance of a Hanukkah medley that was met with uproarious applause. These students were the first participants; then, LMP opened its doors to the public.

Now in its fourth year, the Little Masters Project is now collaborating with the UD Community Music School (CMS) to provide free music theory and private music lessons. Participating students will be given instruments to keep and will receive free music lessons from the talented instructors during after-school hours at the University of Delaware's campus or online. LMP will continue to inspire the students by providing them with thrilling performance opportunities to share the stage with professional musicians.​

During these uncertain times, music has been a constant. The presence of music can bring such joy and creativity to a young mind. Music can also be a great escape from some troublesome realities. For the under-served communities that the Little Masters Project targets, music is more important now than ever.​

The Little Masters Project is made possible, in part, by the generosity of dedicated friends who value the arts in our community. The following list recognizes contributions received from June 15, 2021 to April 15, 2022. A special thanks to council member Randy Stone for spearheading our most recent, highly successful fundraising campaign in Winter 2021.

$10,000 to $24,999

Boston Consulting Group

Ernst & Young LLP

KPMG LLP

Adam Rothman

$5,000 to $9,999

Accenture LLP

DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC

$1,000 to $4,999

Blackbaud Giving Fund

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Katharine Wiseman

$100 to $499

Michael and Karen E. Luck

Mary E. Maslar '74 '82M

Under $99

Cynthia K. Newth '82

Anastasiya Pronina '15

In order to continue our program and bring the gift of music to additional students, we are launching a new crowdfunding program through the University of Delaware and we need your help.

Click here to donate!

• A contribution of $50 will cover a private lesson for one student.
  
• A contribution of $700 will sponsor one student for one semester of 12 weekly lessons.

We are also accepting donations of new or gently used instruments and online learning gear (iPads, headphones, webcams, interfaces, USB mics, etc.) for the students; contact us at masterplayers@udel.edu to make arrangements for delivery. All donations are tax-deductible, and the more we raise, the more kids we can help.

For more information about how to support LMP, contact us at masterplayers@udel.edu.

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