CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 MUSIC MATTERS CHALLENGE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!
INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Ramon Campos (Rochester, MN)
His submission featured him teaching neighbors how to play Let Music Fill My World on the Otamatone (yes, that quirky little instrument!), showing how music teachers can spark joy, connection, and confidence in any community.
Ramon’s community showed up big time in the voting process — and it’s easy to see why. He now leads a mentorship program offering free violin lessons to 25 students, and he’s headed to Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra this summer! As the individual winner, he’ll receive a $10,000 prize and help select a school to receive a $300,000 grant to fund a full-time music teacher next year.
Big congratulations to Ramon!
SCHOOL WINNER
Mozart Elementary (Boston, MA)
Their submission featured students performing Let Music Fill My World through singing, recorders, and drums — plus heartfelt video clips sharing what music means to them. Mozart Elementary rallied incredible support from their community — and now, they’ll receive a $25,000 grant to support their music program!
Big congratulations to Mozart Elementary!
Individual Submission Grand Prize
$10,000 Cash
And the opportunity to participate in selecting a school to receive a 3-year salary (up to $300,000) for a music teacher in need.
School Submission Grand Prize
$25,000 School Grant
2024 MUSIC MATTERS CHALLENGE
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 MUSIC MATTERS CHALLENGE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!
INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Jesse Robitaille (Los Angeles)
Jesse impressed with a creative performance that layered guitar, bass, and even wine glasses into a polished, multi-instrumental arrangement. The $10,000 prize helped him advance his music career, leading to the release of The Other Boys, which went on to win the Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Rock/Pop Song. As part of his award, Jesse helped select Parmelee Avenue Elementary School, where a new full-time music teacher, Mr. Goodman, began in fall 2025, restoring consistent music education to the school and its students.
SCHOOL WINNER
Arapahoe Holbrook Public School
From a Nebraska town of just over 1,100 residents, the 17-member select choir Deja Blue from Arapahoe won the MMC with a moving, technically strong choral performance that resonated far beyond their small community. Their $25,000 grant funded the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall alongside the New England Symphonic Ensemble, singing Steve Dobrogosz’s Mass in the historic Stern Auditorium.
