Music Mentoring at The Soulsville Charter School was conceived in June 2007. Drawing on the rich legacy of Stax Records, The Soulsville Charter School uses music as a vibrant stage for meeting and exceeding education standards. It is an academic approach that provides excellent context for MSO services.

During 2007-08, six MSO musicians were established as weekly mentors for the 8th grade class of Soulsville. About 65 students participated in the program, which continued for 22 weeks. For those students, and their mentors, the project meant much more than weekly music lessons. Life discussions began each session, and in time, students were consulting their mentors for advice and support. The project succeeded in building trust between students and musicians, and provided a social growth opportunity for students disappointed time and again by adults in their lives. Outcomes evaluted for the project continue to be very strong.

Project evaluation relies on several processes and tools that were implemented during the pilot year. Mentors complete baseline, benchmark and final evaluations. Other evaluative tools are used by project administrators to test short and long-term impact, as well as student satisfaction. Evalutive tools include: Student Assessment Grid – each visit, students receive a new grid to indicate their accomplishments during the session and what they hope to address in the next session; Student Focus Group – a sample of students meet with a neutral facilitator to discuss the project’s successes and challenges, and make suggestions for improvement; and Baseline / Follow-up Assessments – designed as brief qualitative surveys, the assessments test student attitudes, behaviors and perceptions at the project’s beginning and end.

Through evaluation, it is clear the project succeeds in achieving its principle goal – character development based on trust. Of course, the enhancement of music making skills is a project goal, but within the scope of services, music lessons are essentially the means to the end.The MSO is cautiously expanding the program to reach more Soulsville students. In 2008-09, two grade levels were mentored by twelve MSO musicians. During 2009-10, MSO will mentor students in three grades.