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 are welcome to begin their leadership journey early. Students in grades 1–5 may join the Leadership Initiative by fundraising and/or contributing $100 toward the program. These students become Young Ambassadors and may choose to form VMA clubs at their school. If they complete two outreach concerts in one year, they are eligible to receive the VMA National Service Award – Gold Medal.

For middle school students, leadership opportunities also include club officer positions, committee roles, and chair positions within their schools. To be nominated for these roles during the annual student elections, students may fundraise within a flexible range of $25–$250. Parents may wish to consult the chart of nomination fundraising thresholds to see which roles are available at each level. Completion of two outreach concerts for middle school students earns them the VMA National Service Award – Gold Medal. There are no Bronze or Silver Medals in the Elementary & Middle School Division. Middle School students may attend virtual workshops.

Early leadership experiences help students develop confidence, teamwork, service-mindedness, and a deeper understanding of how music can impact others.

Pathways to VMA Student Government