"The work of the Resource Center and MACH is of the utmost importance for the upward trend in academic and music literacy among blind students and musicians."
-- Richard Taesch, Southern California Conservatory of Music, Braille Music Division.

The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians provides information and referral services on matters regarding Braille music, technology, and strategies that enable visually impaired people to study music in school or college settings. It can direct inquirers to someone in its network of musicians and teachers in the field and can provide consultation and training. It runs a Summer Braille Music Institute, which provides intensive training for students preparing to study music at the college level.
The National Resource Center is a division of Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, formerly the Music and Arts Center for Humanity. Neighborhood Studios is a school of the arts serving children and adults with special needs in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The Resource Center reaches beyond the state to share its experience and hard-to-find information regarding blindness and music education with students, professional musicians, parents and teachers.

How the National Resource Center Can Help

• Locating Sources of Braille Music. We do not have a Braille music library or transcribe Braille music, but we may have suggestions for finding a piece of music when the standard sources can't help.
• Suggestions for Including Blind Students in Music Activities. Teachers can talk with us about how to get students started with Braille music, teaching strategies, or ways for students to keep up with their peers in theory or ensemble activities.
• Advice to musicians losing vision. The Resource Center can help musicians who have hitherto worked with print music find new methods to accomplish their goals.
• On-site training for students and teachers. In some cases, our staff can travel to conduct workshops for school staff and provide training to students in Braille music and technology.
• Put people in touch with blind musicians in their area who often serve as mentors. Our network of musicians around the country has a great deal of accumulated experience in every imaginable area. If we don't know the answer to a particular question, chances are we can put you in touch with someone who does.
Summer Institute for Blind College-bound Musicians. This residential program is designed for students preparing to study music theory and related music courses at the high school or college level. The one-week intensive concentrates on braille music reading, theory, and the use of technology for producing written music assignments. Held at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, students gain experience using mobility and independence skills in a campus setting, along with networking and socializing with peers and mentors. See our Summer Institute page.
• Services in Connecticut. The Resource Center works on a contract basis with schools and state agencies to provide technical support for students in high school music classes. It also can provide lessons in braille music and technology.
• Workshops and Fun Days. In collaboration with other departments at Neighborhood Studios, we provide "fun" days of arts activities for children throughout the state.
• Neighborhood Studios Regular Programs. Blind and visually impaired children and adults are welcome to the school's camps, music school, the New Visions dance program, and a broadening array of programs for people with special needs.

Contact Information

National Resource Center for Blind Musicians,
Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, Inc.
510 Barnum Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06608
Phone (203) 366-3300
Fax 203-368-2847
E-mail: info@blindmusicstudent.org
Web Address: http://www.blindmusicstudent.org

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