Elementary & Middle School Students

Our Leadership Initiative Designed For Early Success

VMA outreach concerts are now open to elementary and middle school instrumentalists.

Kids beginning as young as 5 years old can perform outreach in their communities and earn national recognition. It’s the VMA’s radical idea of focusing on leading with love, deeply honoring their commitment to disciplined practice and charitable giving. When high school rolls around, they’ll have a good start understanding the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Elementary & Middle School Division
Elementary and middle school students can begin their leadership journey early by joining the VMA Leadership Initiative. Students gain opportunities to serve their communities, grow as young leaders, and participate in a national network of compassionate musicians.
Who Can Join?
- Elementary School: Grades 1–5
- Middle School: Grades 6–8
How Students Enroll
- Elementary: Join by fundraising and/or contributing $100 toward the program.
- Middle School: May join the Leadership Initiative and pursue leadership roles by fundraising within a flexible range of $25–$250.
Teachers verify outreach concerts through the online Concert Completion Report.
Elementary students who enroll become Young Ambassadors. They may:
- Form VMA clubs at their school
- Complete two outreach concerts per year
- Earn the VMA National Service Award – Gold Medal (there are no Bronze or Silver medals at this division)
Middle school students have expanded leadership options, including:
- Club officer positions
- Committee roles
- Chair positions within their school clubs
To be nominated during the annual student elections, students fundraise within the $25–$250 range. A nomination thresholds chart helps families see which roles correspond to each level.
Middle School students who complete two outreach concerts earn the National Service Award – Gold Medal.
They may also attend virtual workshops offered throughout the year.
Early involvement fosters:
- Confidence
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Service-mindedness
- An understanding of how classical music can positively impact communities

A New Approach to Youth Leadership in Classical Music

The VMA Leadership Initiative is a first-of-its-kind pathway where young musicians grow as compassionate leaders through real outreach, year-round workshops, and community fundraising. Students may join at any time and advance at their own pace.

Through service-based awards and a parallel student government track, participants earn recognition not only for their musicianship, but for the impact they create. Families and friends may support a student’s campaign to help meet the small fundraising thresholds required to run for leadership roles, but every officer is elected by peers through a formal, transparent process.

The VMA Foundation, our public-facing philanthropic arm, provides the clear and recognizable platform that powers this work — enabling students to fundraise for their outreach, strengthening community partnerships, and sustaining the programs that help them grow.

Families can also explore our Give Lively Sweet Sounds of Service campaign to support students as they begin their leadership journey.

How to Get Started

Become a Junior Member — free and open to all K–12 students.
Start a Fundraiser — launch your Give Lively page when ready.
Do Outreach — share music with your community through concerts and service projects.
Run for Office — when eligible, declare candidacy and appear on the ballot at the club, state, or national levels.

There is no obligation to fundraise or pursue a medal when joining. Students may simply attend workshops, perform outreach concerts, and grow when they feel ready.
We open the door — and when they choose to rise, the opportunities are waiting.

Join the VMA

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