Our Mission

Why Music?

Music is uniquely effective in creating change.

At our core, we are committed to improving the lives of children in underprivileged communities across the world. It has been proven beyond a doubt that the social impact of music education is unrivalled:

  • Communication skills increase

  • Science, technology and math scores improve

  • Violence in the community reduces

Music is unique in the way it facilitates communication. When children learn a musical instrument, they develop a measure of care, attention, and commitment that extends into other parts of their lives. String instruments like the violin, viola and cello are particularly interesting because crafting the sound requires great physical, mental and aural attention. This search for sound has an enormous impact on a child’s neuroplasticity and cognitive development. Scientific research shows that children need only to play string instruments for a few years in order for the experience to have a lifelong impact. When the crafting of their own instrument is added to their experience, the imagination of each young person is expanded.

We prepare and distribute fine instrument kits that employ advanced technologies to ensure their quality and allow participating children to play an essential part in making their own instrument. Through carving, assembling, fine-tuning, and varnishing, children develop complex skills and an enduring sense of pride, ownership and care for their instrument. The impact of this vital inclusion in the instrument’s creation extends to countless related aspects of their academic and social lives.

A child who helps create their own violin asks: “What else can I make?”

Audience

Evidence shows that when children play string instruments together, test scores go up, communication improves, violence goes down and the social health of communities improve.

The Open String works with established music programs in under-resourced areas worldwide to provide essential instruments for children to play music.

Sustainability

Communities use sustainably-sourced materials to create exceptional instruments.

The Open String approach to instrument making can carry on for generations and create benefits for communities and their environment.

Purpose

Distributed manufacturing allows music programs to make their own instruments.

The Open String creates a platform of creative autonomy for children and their communities.

Innovation

Advanced technologies and manufacturing techniques make fine instrument production possible locally.

The Open String makes it possible for communities to create conservatory quality instruments for themselves.