Welcome to our website! We invite you to take a few moments to get acquainted with our philosophy, programs, blog, annual Social Action theme, special events, and especially, with our amazing students. Please use the “Contact Form” for more information. Thank you for your interest!
Alison S. Barr Faculty-Director
Music Teachers National Association Teacher of the Year 2024
Our two Winter Playathons, to benefit Father Bill’s/MainSpring House facilities, were a great success. The music was beautiful, and thanks to all my colleagues at South Shore Music Teacher Association and my own students and families, we raised almost $3500.00! Enjoy these photos from the event:
Our January 2026 Winter Recital – “Every Living Thing Has a Song”
Lovely playing and an inspiring speaker for our Designated Charity:
We welcomed Kate Anderson, Education Coordinator for the Southeast Division of Mass Audubon Society. Kate’s talk was amazing and the recital was inspired by all the work the students had done to research about this organization. Everyone played animal pieces and gave talks about their pieces!
Here is the link to Mass Audubon’s website to find our about all their wonderful work:
And here is a quick link to make donations, should you wish to make one:
https://www.massaudubon.org/NRhonorarygift
The Alison S. Barr Innovation Award opens for applications on March 15, 2026! For more information, please go to https://www.mmta.net/asbarrinnovationaward
My professional organization created this humbling honor without my knowledge. I can’t wait to see the kind of studio projects we can support!
Big News from MMTA!
We’re thrilled to announce the INAUGURAL Alison S. Barr Innovation Award — opening for applications March 15th!
This annual award supports MMTA members who are using music as a force for connection, creativity, and positive change, including projects focused on:
Community Engagement & Cultural Diplomacy
Social Action & Advocacy
Virtual Learning & Technology Integration
Professional Growth & Mentorship
If you’re innovating, inspiring, and strengthening communities through music, this opportunity is for you.
Fall Potpourri Recital, sponsored by South Shore Music Tetachers Association:
Thank you ALL. Tough pieces and great playing. Thisbe, Linux, Micah, Winter, Naomi, Eliza and Clayton!
Please join us on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the James Library as we play away throughout the morning from 10:00 a.m – 12 noon or even 12:30 p.m. All of our pre-college students and some adults, too, are happy to receive contributions that go 100% to these phenomenal resource centers south of Boston. We thank First Parish of Norwell for offering this space free-of-charge and we invite everyone to visit First Parish next door during your morning – a wonderful Holiday Fair will be going on, with gifts and bargains for all! Use QR code on flyer below to donate:
Some participants from last year:
Another Playathon will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10:00 – 12 noon at First Parish Scituate, also during their Holiday Fair!
We started off with a fully-immersive studio, announcing our theme “Every Living Thing has a Song!” Our Music for Good curriculum component states:
Music is a powerful force for good. People who hear music, especially those who may not have a lot of opportunity to hear live music, get a chance to hum along, move a little, think of happy times they may have had, and enjoy being with others who are listening. Our music can bring excitement, peace, joy, and so much more. And, our music study can be paired with support of meaningful causes, so we grow and also benefit others. Throughout the year, we create Music for Good opportunities.
For pre-college students, we connect our theme to our learning in many ways: repertoire, special projects, a Winter Recital with a guest speaker, student-generated program notes, and a campaign for contributions.
Spring Recital – June 2025 James Library, Norwell MA
This Year’s Theme – Every Living Thing Has a Song!
Every year, we designate a special theme, one with significance both musically and societally. We study music, ideas and concerns surrouding that theme. We invite a speaker close to our cause, we study ways to understand our music deeply, and we find ways to change the world in a positive way through our music!
Please look forward to a whirlwind tour of last spring’s many activities – coming soon!
Our GoFundMe link:
Our Winter Recital, featuring music from North, Central, South Americas, and the Islands, will be held on Friday, January 24th at 6:00 p.m. at The James Library, 24 West St. Norwell MA. Please come if you can!
Debi Fishbein Adams, dear friend and brilliant teacher, will be our featured speaker at our “Music of the Americas,” recital later this month. We are supporting The Coffee Trust, which her brother, Bill Fishbein, founded.
This is our designated charity for the year, partnering with our research and performance of “Music of the Americas.”
We are ALL connected. People are working so hard in remote places like Guatemala, to improve their communities. Please open the GoFundMe and find out about this amazing charity!