Working at Music Sense in Cedar Rapids, IA: 1 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Cedar Rapids, IA Area

"Music Sense is a non-profit for at-risk youth to meet a need in the community. In the past ten years, there have been several deaths of teens related to gun violence. The after-school program continues to provide opportunities for growth to youth. We discuss lyrics in music. After listening to the same song 62 times, it will create a new path in the brain. When we listen to music, it is the process of bilateral learning. Both sides of the brain are engaged. Youth are given the opportunity to select the songs that they want to hear. The lyrics are edited and printed. A curriculum is created to connect with the lyrics. The music is used as a medium to discuss varying topics such as gangs, violence, drugs, mental health, and sexuality. Youth use their critical thinking skills to apply concepts from the lyrics to everyday life choices. After a couple of sessions, they can identify the oppressive nature of many songs. In that, the message is not one of growth but entrapment. Youth are oftentimes unaware that music is for entertainment and not necessarily a lifestyle that promotes positive decisions. The music selected by most participants typically glorify crime. Educating youth about the music they listen to gives them the opportunity to make informed decisions. As a result, this benefits the community, one person at a time."