COMPs have a unique role in mainstream education. They use music to enhance childrens’ lives and social values while nurturing their love for and ability in music—a laudable educational goal. What’s more, the approach has universal applicability. Every child is able to use music in this way. No special music talent is required.

The basic idea is very simple. To teach groups of students appropriate songs and take them into places like nursing homes to sing them with seniors.

We encourage the students to interact as much as possible with residents while singing, making close personal contact (holding hands, looking into their eyes), and dancing (or just moving, if the resident is not able to stand).

Such intergenerational outreaches, especially when undertaken on an ongoing basis, are profoundly beneficial for students.

In a general way COMPs benefit students by encouraging:

• Enhanced socialization through altruistic music-making.
• A broad appreciation for music’s altruistic purpose and therapeutic function.
• An appreciation of the needs of others and common bonds of humanity
• A positive self-image based on a meaningful contribution and the non-judgmental acceptance of others.
• Their natural love of music and singing

More specifically, COMPs nurture musical talent by:

• Encouraging musical confidence and diminishing stage-fright
• Helping with the development of aural skills
• Helping with memorization skills
• Encouraging confidence in singing and the student’s belief in his significance as a musician
• Encouraging “Natural Musicianship”

As well as running COMPs in schools, we train staff to run their own COMPs. This is a cost-effective way of integrating COMPs permanently into the school curriculum.