RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)
Show-Me Sound Organization awarded $25,655 in Neighborhood
Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credits

Staff

Shortly after Governor Nixon took office, he vowed to revamp the system of allocating state tax credits to ensure more "Return On Investment" (ROI). In layman's terms, this simply means that the governor wants Missourians to get "more bang for their bucks" from these programs in the way of job creation and generated tax revenues.

Show-Me Sound Organization has been awarded $25,655 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) for 2012. The credits will help to expand the reach of the F.O.C.U.S. (For Our Children's Unfettered Success) program, which has clear and measurable ROI.

The F.O.C.U.S. program uses percussive arts as a draw for our clients, underserved youth ages 10 -18 in St. Louis City and County, and allows us to engage them with musical activities that strengthen mathematics, science, language arts and career skills, and aim them towards higher education and employment opportunities. Through the program, students gain discipline, focus, goal-setting skills and a strong work ethic that will permeate every aspect of their lives.

The 2012 program will serve 48 children across the city/county region. Using the percussive arts (instrumental studies) Grade Level Expectations (GLEs), set forth by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE), combined with the Percussive Arts Society (P.A.S.) rudimental studies and the Show-Me Sound's foundational percussion exercise methodology, the staff implements a curriculum that develops the total child through the drum.

All Show-Me Sound youth who are of the employable age and wish to work, GET JOBS. Our children are in positions such as lifeguards, restaurant hosts/hostesses, plumbing assistants, and countless other positions of responsibility.

These responsible, employed youth spend their hard earned moneys in Missouri's stores, restaurants, gas stations entertainment and recreational facilities. They pay their taxes and contribute in strengthening our economy and our communities.

From the moment that a child walks through the Show-Me Sound doors, they get a clear understanding of virtues of discipline, hard work and dedication. When a child voluntarily marches for a mile and a half every Saturday morning, harnessed with an 18 to 30 pound instrument, those virtues are made most clear.

Over the past 18 years, Show-Me Sound Organization has provided direct services to an average of 22 youth per year, community partnership services to hundreds more, and performances that have touched thousands each season.

During the proposed project period, January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the F.O.C.U.S. program will serve 48 youth directly and an estimated 9,000 through community partnerships and performances.

In 2010, all of the five graduating high school seniors in the Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. program went on to higher education:

1. Nathan Portell - Attends Mineral Area College and received an academic scholarship.

2. Maria Petete - A music major at the College of the Ozarks received music and academic scholarships.

3. Clint Thomas - Enrolled in the pre-med program at Truman University and received an academic scholarship and a marching band scholarship.

4. Will Lyons - A music major at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and attending with the aid of music scholarships. He is the only African/American on the Marching Mizzou snare drum line, which is a monumental feat for any freshmen.

5. Matthew Clark - Accepted to the percussion program at the Berklee School of Music. (Berklee is one of America's most prestigious music institutions).

In 2011, all of the five graduating high school seniors in the Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. program went on to higher education:

1. Christopher Thurman - A mechanical engineering major, attends Lincoln University. Chris received a Pell Grant for his full tuition and a marching band scholarship that pays for room, board and meals.

2. Montrell Mays - A music education major, St. Louis Community College on a Pell grant and plans to move on to either the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff or Norfolk State University, VA.

3. Brandon Robinson - A psychology major, attends Northern Iowa University on full academic scholarship.

While it is not a part of the NAP tax credit funded program, Show-Me Sound's SHOWDOWN: Historical Black College and University Drum Line Parade, Recruitment Fair and Drum Line Competition also receives the support of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Show-Me Sound is among the top funded organizations in the Missouri Arts Counci''s (MAC) Minority Arts category. The "Return On Investment" of the SHOWDOWN exceeds that of 90 percent of ALL programs (minority and established institution) funded by MAC dollars.

It is the long range plan of Show-Me Sound Organization to be one of Missouri's greatest assets for Black cultural arts, urban youth empowerment and Return On Investment (ROI).