CitySongs takes the form of after-school popular music youth choirs, but it is far more than a community choir program. In addition to music activities CitySongs includes major social service, education, and cultural sensitivity activities to promote positive youth development. No fee is charged for participation. In late 20th century urban America, such youth unfortunately find themselves, for those reasons alone, at increased risk of negative outcomes. Although CitySongs is conceptualized as a strength-promotion project, it functions, too, as a powerful prevention intervention for youth at risk.
Group singing encourages diverse children to work together as a team, and to support one another.
Constructive lyrics direct our participants' attention to positive messages that help them focus their lives. Public performances allow our participants to receive general acclaim, to contribute to their community, and to widen their horizons. Grounded in theory and research, CitySongs provides adult support for high quality music participation, in the service of long-term healthy youth development. Music staff are drawn from the best musicians in the Twin Cities. The Institute sponsors research that examines service delivery and intervention mechanisms that address this problem.