VMA Students Support Street Symphony Through Sweet Sounds of Service Campaign
“This is so immensely kind of you all!”
— Vijay Gupta, Founder of Street Symphony
The VMA Foundation is delighted to share that we have donated $500 to Street Symphony, supporting its music programs at The Midnight Mission shelter in Los Angeles. Vijay Gupta’s heartfelt message of gratitude reminds us that young musicians can make a meaningful difference through service.
This is just the beginning of our 2026-2027 Sweet Sounds of Service Campaign!
Music That Creates a Dual Impact
Through Sweet Sounds of Service, students create a dual impact: supporting the VMA Foundation’s music education, leadership, and outreach programs while raising funds for charitable causes.
At least 30% of donations received are directed toward approved service initiatives, such as Street Symphony. Students may also choose to support a nonprofit that holds special meaning to them, explaining on their fundraising page that they are raising funds for VMA and their chosen service initiative.
Using our online fundraising platform, Give Lively, students can easily create peer-to-peer fundraising pages, invite family and friends to contribute, and work individually or as teams toward shared goals.
For example, Albert Zhou and Yanlin Zhou founded a VMA club at Concord Academy, whose campaign has already raised $2,000 toward its $6,000 goal for the academic year!
View the Concord Academy team's campaign
Stewardship: Turning Generosity into Leadership
Fundraising is an essential part of VMA’s second pillar, Stewardship. We teach students that musicianship means more than developing artistic talent; it also means taking responsibility for the communities and causes they serve.
Through Sweet Sounds of Service, students learn to fundraise ethically by inviting others to support a meaningful mission—not pressuring them to give. Using Give Lively, students create peer-to-peer fundraising pages, build teams, and engage extended family, friends, teachers, local businesses, and the wider community. To qualify for a VMA National Service Award, the majority of funds raised must come from sources beyond the student’s immediate household. The goal is engagement, not simply collecting money: building relationships, communicating purpose, and connecting fundraising to meaningful service.
Students can work individually or as teams toward VMA National Service Awards, which combine fundraising, musical outreach, consistent practice, and leadership development.
Bronze — $250 raised
Silver — $1,250 raised, plus five virtual leadership workshops
Gold — $2,500 raised, plus ten virtual leadership workshops
At every award level, students must complete at least two outreach concerts each academic year, certified by their private teacher. Their private teacher must also certify that they maintain a practice regimen appropriate to their age and grade level.
Silver and Gold recipients must additionally complete the required virtual leadership workshops.
These awards recognize that musical growth and community service go hand in hand. Through fundraising, regular practice, and outreach performances, students develop the discipline, initiative, and compassion to become leaders who use their talents in service of others.
Start Your Fundraiser
Whether supporting Street Symphony or championing a personally meaningful cause, every student has an opportunity to turn a passion for music into meaningful community impact.
Ready to get started? Create a peer-to-peer fundraising page and invite your family, friends, and community to join you.
Get Started with Sweet Sounds of Service
Together, we can strengthen VMA, support charitable causes, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Give back. Play forward.
