The MusicianShip offers high-quality music education to the kids who need it most – those living in high-poverty areas where access to the arts and out-of-school programming is limited. After school at five public and public charter schools, students receive daily, free vocal and instrumental music instruction, ensemble development, and mentoring. Interactive Master Class field trips, taught by world-renowned musicians, reach another 700 students across DC. And the beat continues throughout the summer, with all-city marching band and choral programs. Having recently acquired a number of music programs at risk of dissolving, The MusicianShip is the new home for outstanding initiatives like the Washington Youth Choir, the Wammie Awards show, and the DC Funk Parade. This ambitious organization is dedicated to preserving and enhancing DC’s cultural and musical heritage ... with youth leading the charge.

COVID-19 Update: While the Wammies, the Funk Parade, and the Annual Gala have had to be canceled, a new online learning center keeps the music alive. Classes on topics like the Definition of Percussion, the Art of Songwriting, Origin of the Blues, Foundational Elements of Contemporary Music, and Creating Your Own Sound, keep music lovers engaged and feed the soul.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 8

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; Anacostia; Randle Highlands, SE; Trinidad, NE; Columbia Heights; Garfield Heights, SE; Truxton Circle, NW; Deanwood, NE; France; South Africa; Sint Maarten

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Students

Schools They Work In: Ketcham Elementary School; Wheatley Education Campus; Columbia Heights Educational Campus; Garfield Elementary; Dunbar High School; Randle Highlands Elementary School; KIPP DC


  • Number of people students we serve annually:   1600
  • Number of people (patrons, students, children) we serve annually through our DC Funk Parade and Wammie Awards brands:   70,000
  • Students enrolled in our programs for at least two years graduated from high school:   97%
  • High school graduates in our school year program enrolled in a college or university:   100%
  • High school graduates in our school year programs who received music scholarship they applied for:   100%

Awards & Recognition

2014 - Mayor's "One City" Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) award
2019 - NBC4 "Working for the Community" Award
2019 WeDC Ambassador

Press

Budget (FY0)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

If you like The MusicianShip you might also like



This organization collaborates with