VMA Leadership Initiative
The VMA Leadership Initiative helps young musicians become more than volunteers. It gives students opportunities to develop as compassionate, responsible leaders through service, stewardship, and action.
Students take greater ownership of community outreach, participate in leadership development, support charitable initiatives, and earn national service recognition. They learn to turn their musical talents and personal convictions into meaningful contributions to the world around them.
What Do Students Do in the Leadership Initiative?
Perform for Others. Fundraise for Good. Lead Your Peers.
Leadership in Action
Students put the VMA pillars of service, stewardship, and leadership into practice through meaningful opportunities to contribute, collaborate, and take initiative.
Leadership Workshops
Leadership Workshops
High school students in the Leadership Initiative may participate in virtual leadership workshops moderated by the Director that help them grow as musicians and community leaders.
Workshops are discussion-based and give students the opportunity to share ideas, learn from mentors, and connect with other young musicians across the country.
- ✔Free monthly workshops are held virtually on Sunday afternoons (register via event calendar)
- ✔Each workshop lasts about one hour
- ✔Students typically participate in about five workshops per semester
- ✔Workshops help students plan outreach concerts and community events as they work towards Silver and Bronze VMA National Service Awards
- ✔Students learn how to become involved in VMA student government
- ✔Workshops are also a great orientation for new Leadership Initiative students
Developing the communication, organization, and leadership skills to turn musical service into meaningful action.
Practice
Performing a piece of classical literature requires consistent practicing. At the very least, we expect Elementary and Middle School students to practice at least 10-30 minutes per day, while High School students are expected to practice at least 30-60 minutes per day.
Leadership Pathways
Students who wish to pursue deeper involvement in the Leadership Initiative may choose one of three service pathways.
Leadership Pathways
Students who wish to pursue deeper involvement in the Leadership Initiative may choose one of three service pathways. Service hours are awarded upon completion of each pathway's outreach, leadership, and fundraising requirements.
Serve as a Team: VMA clubs can work together toward shared service goals and earn VMA National Service Awards as a team through their collective community outreach and fundraising efforts.
Bronze
- 2 outreach concerts
- No workshops required
Silver
- 2 outreach concerts
- 5 leadership workshops
Gold
- 2 outreach concerts
- 10 leadership workshops
Many students begin by participating in outreach concerts and later choose to pursue deeper leadership pathways as their involvement grows.
Many high school students participate in the Leadership Initiative throughout their high school years, completing a pathway each year as their outreach and leadership responsibilities grow.
Through sustained participation, students build a meaningful record of outreach service and leadership that reflects their dedication to bringing live music to their communities.
National Recognition
Students grow as leaders and earn national recognition through service and outreach.
National Recognition
Students who complete a Leadership Initiative pathway receive national recognition for their service through music.
What Outreach Concerts Look Like
Students share classical music with their communities while also performing familiar pieces that audiences know and love.
What Outreach Concerts Look Like
Students bring live music to communities that may not otherwise experience classical performances. Programs often include classical works alongside familiar pieces audiences recognize and enjoy.
- ✔Assisted living communities
- ✔Hospitals and care centers
- ✔Libraries
- ✔Schools and community centers
- ✔Local cultural events
How Outreach Is Verified
Outreach concerts are verified through a Concert Completion Report submitted by the student’s private teacher.
How Outreach Is Verified
Outreach concerts are verified to ensure that student service reflects meaningful performances in the community.
- ✔Students perform outreach concerts in their communities
- ✔Private music teachers verify each performance
- ✔A simple Concert Completion Report confirms the outreach event
- ✔A photo from the outreach performance may be uploaded by the teacher or student to help document the event
- ✔Verified concerts contribute toward Leadership Initiative recognition
Teachers verify outreach concerts through a brief Concert Completion Report submitted online. The form takes only a minute to complete, and teachers do not need to be present at the performance.
Submit Concert Completion Report →
For Private Music Teachers
Teachers support student outreach while spending only a minute verifying performances.
For Private Music Teachers
Private music teachers play an important role in the Leadership Initiative by guiding students as they prepare outreach performances in their communities.
Teachers verify student outreach concerts through a simple Concert Completion Report submitted online.
The report takes only a minute to complete, and teachers do not need to attend the performance.
Teachers: Learn More
Explore Both Pathways to Leadership
Every young musician deserves the opportunity to share music with their community and grow as a compassionate leader.
The Leadership Initiative and Student Government work hand in hand. Through the Leadership Initiative, students begin their journey of service, stewardship, and leadership. By starting a VMA Student Club, they put their leadership skills to work, building a team and taking on leadership roles.
