Our History
Founded in 1976, Music for Minors began as a grassroots response to the loss of music education opportunities in local schools. What started as a small volunteer-led effort has grown into a leading Bay Area provider of school-based music education, reaching thousands of students each year.
Music for Minors was founded through the leadership of Grace Johnston, whose belief in the power of music helped inspire a community movement. With important early contributions from Dr. G.G. Fitzmaurice, trained volunteer docents, school partners, civic organizations, and a dedicated group of early supporters, MFM developed an accessible and sustainable model for bringing music into elementary classrooms.
In its early years, Music for Minors relied on trained volunteer docents who brought singing, rhythm, movement, listening, and music appreciation into classrooms. Many of MFM’s earliest volunteers and supporters became affectionately known as the organization’s “Founding Mothers.” Their dedication helped establish the foundation for Music for Minors’ first 50 years, from classroom instruction and docent training to fundraising, advocacy, and community support.
The legacy they helped build continues today through every song sung, rhythm played, and child inspired in our classrooms.
Key Milestones
1976
Music for Minors is founded as a volunteer-led response to the need for music education in elementary classrooms.
1978
Music for Minors incorporates as a nonprofit organization.
1980
People of Note launches as MFM’s original fundraising committee, helping build community support for music education.
1990s and 2000s
Trained volunteer docents bring music into classrooms and help establish MFM’s school-based music model.
2010s
MFM begins shifting from a primarily volunteer docent model toward instruction led by paid, professional music educators.
Today
Music for Minors provides sequential, standards-based music education led by trained, professional music educators.
2026
Music for Minors celebrates 50 years of nurturing in children a lifelong love of music.
Music for Minors Today
Today, Music for Minors partners with schools and communities to provide school-based music education across the Bay Area. Our programs support students from preschool through upper elementary grades, helping children build confidence, creativity, connection, and a lifelong love of music.
As school funding pressures continue, MFM remains committed to keeping music in classrooms and ensuring more children have access to the joy and power of music.
For 50 years, Music for Minors has been sustained by generations of volunteers, educators, school partners, families, donors, board members, staff, and community supporters. As we look ahead, we remain rooted in the same belief that inspired our founding: every child deserves access to music education.