The Harmony Effect mission is to provide cultural enrichment in under-served communities in Northern New Jersey and New York City by establishing and supporting quality school music ensemble programs that emphasize student achievement, empower music educators and teaching artists, and enlist parental involvement. In Fall 2011, we began a pilot ensemble music program at the Mount Vernon School in Newark, New Jersey. We are starting from scratch with a class of twenty-two second graders. Before learning to perform on instruments - we spend a significant amount of time on the basics (listening, singing, moving, chanting, harmonizing, reading, etc.). This “general music meets instrumental music” learning approach - based on over thirty years of research and field testing - helps the beginning student develop the readiness to learn to perform and read music with comprehension. In a few years we expect to produce many promising candidates for area magnet high schools and beyond. Through the success of this year’s program we expect to cultivate enough public demand for more well-supported music programs throughout Newark and beyond - creating more diverse representation in regional and All-state ensembles, festivals, and the music world - while creating great opportunities for young people.