About Opus 118

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Opus 118 Harlem School of Music provides quality music instruction and teacher development in an environment that nurtures excellence and creativity.

 OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENTS

• Excellence in teaching, student activities, and everything we do.
• Access, inclusiveness and opportunity.
• A caring environment.
• A close relationship with our community.

OUR PHILOSOPHY Learning a musical instrument is a unique way of exposing children to beauty. Music education is a prime tool to awaken creativity and to teach concentration and focus. Focused study of a musical instrument affects a student’s academic performance in other subject areas in a positive way. Structured musical activities for students during the non-school hours are a means of preventing violence and drug abuse. Music is an instrument of peace, allowing students an emotional release in a time of social conflict and stress while teaching tolerance in a diverse community. In preparing young minds for a complex world, music education serves not only as a means to teach collaboration and cooperation, but also as a guide in solving complex problems. Music education creates and expands horizons for children who would otherwise lack the opportunity to experience the benefits that are derived from such an education.