MAMA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS INC
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Mission Statement
The Mama Foundation is a nationally recognized organization whose mission is to present, preserve and promote the history and fundamentals of gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues music for current and future generations. Its best known and most important program is its Gospel for Teens effort, which annually serves 300 young people from low-income families in Harlem. This free, afterschool program provides rigorous training in vocal technique; history and instruction on the evolution of gospel music; as well as performances throughout the metropolitan area teaching teens about their heritage while improving the discipline, focus and teamwork needed to compete academically.
About This Cause
Approximately 75 low-income teens, aged 13 to 19, qualify each year to participate in Gospel for Teens through an open audition which is widely advertised in schools, churches and community centers. Typically, 400 or more teens turn out to audition, with the only qualification being a basic ability to carry a tune, and the willingness to dedicate oneself to the practice necessary to excel. Few enrollees have ever had any formal voice training prior to acceptance into Gospel for Teens, nor are there any specific academic or other requirements. And not only is there no charge for program participation, but once performances begin, students are provided with money for transportation, as well as a small stipend, helping to encourage even the most disadvantaged youth to participate. Students spend about half-a-year in two separate 12-week sessions held every Saturday, starting as “freshmen,” and then moving on to “advanced” classes. In both “semesters,” youths take about an hour learning music history related to whatever they are working on that week, as well as doing various warm-ups and exercises. Then, a teacher called a program Music Master takes over to focus on learning and rehearsing each song. Homework includes studying lyrics and working to perfect technique – something which youths with even natural talent must spend considerable time practicing and learning. After youths complete their 24-weeks of basic “boot camp” classes, they become eligible to participate in live performances. Truly the most important part of the program, in addition to ever more rigorous rehearsals and training, participating youths become part of a vibrant professional performing group within which they continue to learn about both music and self-discipline, even as they take part in shows all over metropolitan New York City – and sometimes far beyond. Since the program first began, students have entertained audiences with over 150 performances in more than 50 different venues. In the process, as youths learn and grow as performers, they are actually accomplishing something much more than that. Their performances, which have included backing-up Madonna; performing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium; providing entertainment for an opening at Bloomingdale’s; and singing for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, are frequently remunerated. This clever arrangement, only possible because of the growing reputation of Gospel for Teens as superlative performers, in turn helps to fund as much as half of the program’s costs per year. In other words, the youth who profit from the program are able to contribute to its perpetuation, even as they continue to learn and benefit from their ongoing participation. It is an incredible means of teaching responsibility as teens come to understand that their own success helps promote the program to others.