Empowering Pontiac Students Through Music: Year 1 Highlights of Accent Pontiac’s High School Program
In 2024, Accent Pontiac launched the second year of its transformative Social Change Through Music: Pontiac High School Project, with critical support from Impact100 Oakland County. Here’s how this dynamic program is creating lasting change for Pontiac’s youth and the broader community.
Making Every Dollar Count
Accent Pontiac has utilized $36,780 of grant funds to bring music education to life. Investments have focused on staffing teaching artists and program assistants, providing transportation for summer programs, offering meals during after-school sessions, and securing general liability insurance.
Key Achievements This Year
Since the initial grant report in June 2024, the program has reached several milestones:
- Strengthened School Partnership: Renewed collaboration with Pontiac High School, complete with an updated curriculum.
- New Team Members: Onboarded five part-time teaching artists, with two participating in professional development training.
- Student Leadership: Launched Year 2 programming, engaging six high school students and employing three student teachers.
- Showcasing Talent: Hosted performances at community events like Juneteenth and collaborated with Oakland University’s Honors Band.
- Musical Growth: Evaluation data revealed 100% musical growth and 92% proficiency among participants—a testament to the program’s impact.
- Unique Experiences: Provided students with guest artist workshops, field trips, and summer retreats, including a national music seminar in Chicago.
Beyond Expectations
The program delivered some unexpected wins:
- Student Empowerment: High schoolers contributed to Accent Pontiac’s upcoming rebranding for its 10-year anniversary, building leadership skills through marketing and visioning activities.
- Stronger Community Ties: Collaboration with Pontiac High School staff has fostered a supportive environment for students to thrive.
Facing Challenges and Looking Ahead
While the program has achieved much, challenges remain:
- Enrollment is below the original goal of 25 students, though growth is anticipated as younger cohorts advance.
- Transportation limitations have required creative problem-solving with partners and parents.
- Staffing gaps in the Operations Manager role have placed additional strain on team members, with hiring underway.
Funding and Sustainability
Accent Pontiac continues to secure additional funding, raising $17,000 from organizations like the PNC Foundation and Arts Midwest GIG Fund. The program’s long-term plan includes a 2026 campaign to establish a quasi-endowment fund, ensuring sustained support for music education in Pontiac.
Building Confidence, Leadership, and Community
This program has had a profound impact on students, who have shown incredible musical and personal growth. High school participants are becoming role models for younger students, and their performances are filling the community with pride. With continued support, Accent Pontiac is on track to expand its reach and deepen its impact for years to come.
Music truly is a catalyst for social change, and Accent Pontiac is proving that one note at a time.