OUR WORK

Our Work Isn’t Quiet — and It Shouldn’t Be.
We’re Replacing Silence with Music, Hope, and Opportunity.

The Light We Leave Behind    
   Written & Produced By Elson Guy Smith III | All rights reserved.

© & ℗ 2025 Elson G. Smith III | EG & the GRITT & GRACE | EGS3 Sound Works

Help and Training, that's

OUR WORK

From putting instruments into the hands of students who would otherwise go without to helping underfunded schools keep music alive, we’re not just talking about change — we’re helping make it possible through music access, encouragement, and opportunity.

With your support — through donations, volunteering, or partnerships — we can keep putting music into the hands of students and schools that need it most, helping more young people discover confidence, creativity, and hope.

THE NUMBERS MATTER

Music should not depend on a school’s budget, staffing luck, or ZIP code

With our help and the support of others, students and schools that might otherwise go without are given access to instruments, encouragement, and meaningful opportunity through music.

 

Without compassion and support, too many young people are left on the outside looking in — not because they lack talent, but because they lack access.

Too often, the barrier is not willingness.
It is cost.
It is limited school funding.
It is not having the tools needed to begin.

Sadly, many students who could benefit deeply from music never get the chance at all.

That is who we are asking people to help.

We are focused on those who truly need the opportunity — the students waiting quietly, the schools doing their best with too little, and the communities where music access is out of reach.

We are asking for help for them — for those who deserve the chance to learn, grow, and discover what music can do in their lives.

While there are certainly some who may choose to beg, that’s not who we’re asking for help for.

We are focused on those who truly need it—the ones waiting for an opportunity, struggling in silence, and lacking the resources to change their circumstances.

We’re asking for help for them—those who deserve a chance to rise above their challenges.

Too Many of our Texas Students Don’t Get the Music Support They Need or should get.

Texas does not track whether elementary students even get standalone music classes

Texas requires music in elementary school, but the state does not track enrollment in elementary music courses, making it hard to know which children are actually receiving real music instruction.

More Likely to Attend College

Texas students highly engaged in the music arts were 20% more likely to attend college.

20%

Rural schools are falling behind

Suburban schools offer 59% more music arts courses than rural schools in Texas.

59%

High-poverty schools have fewer qualified arts teachers

Texas high-poverty schools have 29% fewer arts-certified teachers than low-poverty schools.

29%

Music classes not taught by a music-certified teacher

Texas high-poverty schools have 29% fewer arts-certified teachers than low-poverty schools.

29%

Help comes in many forms

WHAT can You Do?
Giving isn't losing.
It's passing strength from one hand to another.