GROW MUSIC MISSOULA - News

Crescendo Club @ Missoula Gives!

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:15:19 GMT

͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌

Expanding access to music education through mentorship, resources, and performance opportunities that enable young people to thrive through creative expression.

Missoula Crescendo Club is the nonprofit arm of Grow Music.

We do it because talent everywhere, but not always equitable opportunities.

We believe music education can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Every week, we see it happen.

We see students light up when they build confidence enough to play out loud. We see young musicians discover identity, purpose, belonging, discipline, creativity, and joy through music. We see kids begin to believe in themselves because someone else believes in them enough to invest time, care, and guidance.

Through our in-school Teaching Artists program, individual lesson scholarships, mentorship program, and free community concerts, we work all year long to ensure that young people in Missoula have access to meaningful, high-quality music education—and regardless of financial barriers.

This work matters. And right now, programs like ours are increasingly under pressure. I’m asking that you consider donating to Crescendo Club during Missoula Gives.

But first, as a gift, I am thrilled to share this short film created by one of my cello students, Zori Vandergrift. Zori was chosen as one of five students of the 2025-26 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Youth Fellowship Program.

“Finding Harmony” by Zori Vandergrift, Hellgate HS. (9min)

The film beautifully captures a difficult reality: young people are often being asked to do more with fewer resources, while arts education continues to shrink. It’s a thoughtful film, and a reminder of why this work matters.

During Missoula Gives, this Thursday, April 30-Friday, May 1st, we are asking for your support.

Your donation helps us:

• bring teaching artists directly into public schools,
• provide scholarships for passionate and driven young musicians
• mentor the next generation of music educators and community leaders
• offer more free concerts that enrich our community

And this year, there’s an exciting opportunity to make your gift go even further:

All donations will be matched!

AND if you donate during the POWER HOUR (Friday, May 1 from 2–3 PM), we have a chance to win a $500 prize for receiving the most donations within the hour, in the small nonprofit category. Mark your calendars!

Even a small gift can make a huge impact. Truly — donations do not need to be large to matter. A $1, $5, or $20 donation says: I believe this work matters.

For that, we are deeply grateful.

If you'd like to support us, you can donate here:

Donate to Missoula Crescendo Club

Thank you for believing in young people, in creativity, and in the transformative power of music to build a stronger, more connected and resilient community.

With gratitude,
Jessica Catron

Grow Music Missoula

Missoula Crescendo Club

□ □ We Grow Music □ □

Copyright (C) 2026 Grow Music Missoula. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because we appreciate you as part of our community!

Our mailing address is:
Grow Music Missoula 800 Kensington Ave, #LL5 Missoula, MT 59801 USA

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

December Newsletter

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:28:18 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER!

How Much Should My Child Practice?

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 16:57:55 GMT

(From our October newsletter)

🎻 How Much Should My Child Practice?
(Deep Thoughts, by Jessica)

It’s the question I get asked all the time — and the truth is, there is no “right” number of minutes or days per week. Practice has to work for your family and your kid.

This information is meant to compliment our mission to foster personal growth and belonging through youth-centered musical development. We help young people become better community members—music is our vehicle. Now, if your child clearly is the next Lindsey Stirling or Yo-Yo Ma, then a regiment is key (and eventually a great manager). Skip the following and go practice.

In our house (yes, even with two musician parents), my boys still moan about practice. But over time, that resistance has softened. They now know what to do, how to do it, and that consistency—however imperfect—makes a real difference.

For reference, my 6th grader practices about 10 minutes at a time, and my 8th grader around 20. We aim for four days a week and often hit three. Between sports, school, friends, and family life, and yes—video games—that’s what it looks like for us right now.

The key isn’t how much you practice—it’s building something sustainable. Teachers’ suggestions are great guides, but every family’s rhythm is unique. Age matters, too. For children under 10, a little parental involvement goes a long way. Even if you don’t play music, you can still help:

Set a routine: Pick a regular time that fits your day.
Be present: Show interest. Listen in. Ask what parts they like best!
Check notes: Help your child follow their teacher’s practice guide.
Celebrate effort: Praise consistency and attitude, over perfection.
“I love how you kept going even when that part was tricky!” - “I heard you find the right note that time!”
Make it playful: Turn short practices into creative goals.
- Mini concerts for the family (or stuffed animals).
- Simple prompts. “Try it again loud/soft/plucked/on one foot/backwards.”
- Add stickers or marbles for each practice, and celebrate when the jar’s full!
- Ask what the song reminds them of and encourage expressing their imagination.
- Keep the beat by clapping or humming along while they play.
- Set a timer for 1-3 minutes and see how much they can improve one tricky spot. Celebrate the focus more than the result!
- Have them “teach” you something on the instrument—they love being the expert, and explaining helps reinforce their learning.
- Encourage improvising or composing original music on their instrument.

And when your child doesn’t feel like practicing? Totally normal. Feelings come and go, but they don’t have to be the boss. Each time we choose to play even when it’s hard, we’re building two things: musical skill and mental strength. That’s discipline—and it carries over to everything from school to sports to life.

Here’s a secret (thanks, scientists): motivation usually shows up after you start. So don’t wait for the perfect mood. Pick up the instrument, play a few notes, and let the spark return.

Tiny moments of focus add up to big growth. Keep nurturing that spark!

October Newsletter

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:32:13 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

September Newsletter

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:03:26 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

August Newsletter

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:05:55 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR AUGUST NEWSLETTER

June Newsletter

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:03:48 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR JUNE NEWSLETTER

Feature in Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:48:02 GMT

Meet Jessica Catron, the passionate cellist, educator, and founder of Grow Music Missoula—our latest spotlight in the Rocky Mountain Women in Business Series!

What if music could be more than just performance—what if it could build confidence, spark joy, and nurture a sense of belonging? That vision is at the core of Jessica’s work as a teaching artist committed to youth-centered, community-driven music education.
After years as a professional musician in L.A., Jessica followed her curiosity and calling to Montana, where she launched Grow Music in 2016. Today, her school offers strings education and mentorship with a focus on creativity, equity, and access for all.

Whether through youth-led concerts, in-school programs, or the organic mentorship of older students becoming leaders, Jessica is building more than musicians—she’s building a movement.
Her mission? To create a space where every young person feels seen, supported, and celebrated through music.

Follow Grow Music Missoula to see how Jessica is shaping hearts and communities, one note at a time.
Support Grow Music Missoula during Missoula and Bitterroot Gives. Your donation helps fund scholarships, school programs, and youth-led performances that empower young musicians across western Montana.
Professional photos by KC Lostetter Photography

Read her full story on our blog!
https://bit.ly/44cUZvW

May Newsletter

Tue, 06 May 2025 18:49:20 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MAY NEWSLETTER!

MISSOULA GIVES! May 1-2, 2025

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:35:16 GMT

MISSOULA GIVES - DONATE (May 1-2, 2025)

Why Support Grow Music?

Inclusive Community: We welcome all ages and instruments, featuring diverse performances in "Grow Music Presents."

Youth Empowerment: We pair young musicians with professionals, fostering growth and creating memorable experiences.

Crescendo Club: We provide scholarships, a mentorship program, and weekly professional clinicians in the schools.

Mental Health Benefits: Music boosts self-image, confidence, connection, and positivity.

Partnerships: We collaborate with local organizations like Missoula Public Library, Clark Fork School, Sunflower Montessori, and Arts Missoula.

Financial Aid: We offer individual scholarships and instrument repair assistance through the "Crescendo Club."

You don't have to wait until Missoula Gives! Use the link below to:

DONATE TODAY

March Newsletter

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:19:37 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MARCH NEWSLETTER!

January Newsletter

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:25:53 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR JANUARY NEWSLETTER!

December Newsletter

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:34:24 GMT

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER!

Grow Music Presents.

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:14:21 GMT

This is going to be awesome, friends!

Here's a little taste of what we will be performing, thanks to the amazing Danish String Quartet for providing their arrangements.

#GivingTuesday

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:30:12 GMT

This #GivingTuesday, December 3rd, join us in shaping the future of music education in Missoula.

………………………

Music teaches children essential life skills like discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving, helping them succeed in all aspects of life.

By donating to “Crescendo Club,” you support music mentorship for 5th and 6th-grade orchestra students, bringing professional string clinicians into classrooms weekly to enrich their learning. Your support will:

Broaden our impact: Partner with more Missoula schools to ensure every child has access to personalized music education.

Provide scholarships: Help us offer scholarships to talented and motivated students facing financial barriers.

Cultivate community: By fostering music early, we create lifelong advocates who enrich communities and contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape.

Every dollar you donate makes a tangible difference. Here's a glimpse of what previous donations helped accomplish:

For the second year, we’ve partnered with the C.S. Porter Middle School Orchestra, supporting over 60 young musicians.
Our outreach expanded to include Russell Elementary School.
We have awarded scholarships to ten deserving students, enabling them to pursue music lessons.
………………………

Whether it's $5 or $50, your generosity supports creative youth development in our community.

DONATE HERE

Join us on #GivingTuesday and help us make a joyful noise in Missoula!

P.S. Don't forget to share this email with your friends and family.

Let's spread the joy of music together!

View email in browser
Grow Music Missoula · 800 Kensington Ave, #LL5 · Missoula, MT 59801 · USA
update your preferences or unsubscribe

GROW MUSIC MISSOULA - News

Crescendo Club @ Missoula Gives!

December Newsletter

How Much Should My Child Practice?

October Newsletter

September Newsletter

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

August Newsletter

June Newsletter

Feature in Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center

May Newsletter

MISSOULA GIVES! May 1-2, 2025

March Newsletter

January Newsletter

December Newsletter

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER!

Grow Music Presents.

#GivingTuesday

November Newsletter

September Newsletter

Grow Music receives third year of support from the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

AUGUST Newsletter!

JULY Newsletter!