Founded in the 1970s as a solution to prevent the loss of music programs in local schools, Music for Minors now enriches the lives of over 20,000 Bay Area children every year through music education.

In 1978, the California tax initiative (Proposition 13) caused severe cuts to state funding for schools, with music education as a significant casualty. In response, co-founders Grace Johnston and Dr. G.G. Fitzmaurice launched Music for Minors to keep music alive in local elementary schools. Grace, with a background in Elementary Education and a minor in Music, and G.G., with a PhD in Music Education from Stanford University, shared a vision of a high-quality, affordable, and sustainable music program. Together, they developed a robust training program for volunteer instructors and created a lasting solution to meet this critical need.

Founders Grace Johnston and Dr. G.G. Fitzmaurice

Early supporters included the Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula Junior League, the Los Altos Elementary School District, and the Los Altos-Mountain View branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Early collaborators like Nancy Hanna Enright, Mary Jane Gardner, Iris Moran, Robert Reassner, Rachel Wager, and Nancy Wilkie played essential roles in establishing the program.

Today, Music for Minors is a leading provider of comprehensive, standards-based music education that aligns with the California Content Standards for Music. As school budget pressures grow, so does the demand for our program. Rising to this challenge, we’ve expanded our educator team to include trained music professionals as well as passionate volunteers. Our curriculum is continually refined to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability, enabling us to reach more schools each year. Since 2010, we’ve nearly doubled the number of schools we serve, moving us closer to our goal of providing all children with access to high-quality music education.

Although G.G. passed away in 2010, and Grace in 2018, their legacy continues to thrive through Music for Minors. Grace’s dedication to children’s development and her commitment to making music accessible is deeply embedded in our mission. Her impact lives on through our programs, inspiring us to reach more schools with an ever-evolving and expanding approach to music education.

To learn more about our recent history, read our archive of newsletters.