Mindfulness: Being a Generous Musician

 

How to Give Back to Your Community

By Emily Kulinowski

Multiple hands facing forward with a red heart painted on them

According to a 2020 report by Giving USA, “American individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $449.64 billion to U.S. charities in 2019, placing it among the highest years ever for charitable giving.”

Many people in communities can find themselves struggling to get by, especially given the last year or so we’ve had. As musicians, it’s important to be mindful of the struggles and privileges that exist within our community and strive to be generous members of our creative workforce.

Why Giving Back To Your Community Is Important

Whether you donate money, supplies, or time, giving back is a great way to connect with members of your community and spread the gift of generosity.

As musicians, we can sometimes be in need of extra assistance. We might need help moving instruments for gigs, someone to cover a part if a player can’t make it, or sometimes financial assistance if we can’t get enough gigs.

From personal experience, I’ve found it rewarding giving the gift of music back to members of my community. I’ve learned so much over my years of studying music, and it’s rewarding sharing that knowledge with other future musicians.

There are many ways we can give back to the community that’s supported us over the years. It’s important to be mindful and generous so the community can continue to flourish.

1.Volunteer with Public School Music Programs

It can be common for schools to cut the arts first when there are budget issues. Reaching out to a music teacher who might need some assistance can help take some stress off their plate, as well as share your musical expertise.

I’m grateful to have had amazing music programs throughout school, but I know not everyone has that opportunity. Not everyone has enough resources available to them in order to grow as musicians.

Volunteering is a great way to help a community in need. Giving the gift of music to students can inspire them to stick with it, and even inspire others to join you in the generous gesture.

Even if it’s only a short amount of time, volunteering in any capacity can really help out your community. I’ve volunteered a few summers at my old high school to help out my band director, and it was great being able to help students in their musical journey.

2.Join a Charity

Joining a music-related charity can be gratifying, and sharing your musical abilities with an organization can be memorable.

There are so many organizations these days, so you are bound to find one in your community that resonates with you. Being able to share the gift of music to those who need it most is one of the greatest things we can offer as musicians in our community.

If you’re looking for organizations to join, here are a few well established charities to start with

Sharing your love and experience with music is a great way to get involved with the community, and sharing it with those who need it the most is even more powerful.

Ways to Give Back- The Den Collective

3.Donate Your Instruments

As a musician, you may go through a variety of instruments throughout your journey. For example, string players may have multiple sizes of instruments as they grow from youth to adulthood.

You can be a generous musician by donating your old instruments you don’t use anymore. Giving your unused instruments to others who don’t have one can really put a smile on someone's face because not everyone can afford to buy or rent instruments themselves.

Not everyone has the same opportunities that you may have had. While I was fortunate to have access to instruments for many years, I understand the struggle it can be to afford instruments and accessories. 

Sharing my unused instruments, sticks, and mallets with student musicians and a local school music program helped out my community and put tools I was no longer using to good use.

4.Throw a Benefit Concert

Benefit concerts can be a great way to raise money for a specific cause while also giving you entrepreneurial experience.

Decide what you're raising money and awareness for, such as access to music in public schools. Locate a local venue and comprise a music set for the event. Choose a musical direction that your community would be interested and engaged in.

In order to get the most out of a benefit concert, it helps to have multiple performers and other people involved. Remember concerts aren’t only about the music; it also involves food, clean up, and promotion.

Make sure to market to local shops, schools, and performance venues. Your community is the audience you’re fundraising for, so getting them involved in the event itself will help them be included and their concerns heard.

Benefit concerts and similar events can bring musicians and the community together for a common cause.

5.Create Authentic Music

One of the best things you can do is be your authentic self. Not only does that help you live your truth, it can help others with similar values reach you.

Creating authentic music is a great way to share what you care about and the issues you are passionate about supporting. Your music can connect you with more people than you think, so create music that brings people together.

No matter what you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to share what you believe through your music. You can find inspiration to write from other musicians, online forums, or even just the people in your network. 

Experiment with songwriting by trying new topics each week to write about. Collaborate with other artists and members of your community to help spread the awareness you’re trying to achieve.

The creation of authentic art is a generous act because it is something that can resonate with people more than a regular call to action. Giving back to your community means not only your own generosity, but sparking others' interests in giving back as well.

Two people standing and words on the sidewalk say "passion led us here"

How Will You Give Back to Your Community?

The life of a musician can get really busy, but it’s important to reflect on where we started and how we can give back to the community. Remember that even small acts of kindness can make a huge impact.

The Den Collective partners with life coaches Sara Noble and Alex Campbell to provide sessions and resources on personal well-being. The Den also partners with arts advocist Sidney Hopson, and musician wellness resource Becca Laurito to provide resources on arts advocacy and wellness. More information on resources can be found here.

Understanding ways you can be a generous musician is important when giving back to your community. Myself and The Den Collective are here to support and help in any way we can!

 
Mindfulness, Music IndustryEmily KulinowskiEmily Kulinowski, generous, generosity, minfulness, give back to your community, why giving back to your community is important, volunteer, donate, giving backComment