Programs

A growing Oakland music ecosystem.

Harmony Project Oakland is the anchor, with Town Strings, summer programs, Saturday ensembles, mentoring, performances, and student leadership pathways developing around it.

Students holding violins after class

Flagship program

Harmony Project Oakland

Started in Oakland in 2020, Harmony Project Oakland provides free, multi-year instrumental music programming for East Oakland students through after-school classes, Saturday learning, performances, peer practice, mentoring, and student teaching opportunities.

Free
Students participate without tuition barriers.
Multi-year
The relationship continues as students grow.
East Oakland
Programs meet students through local schools and community sites.

Program directory

The first set of program pages we should support.

Town Strings

A summer strings pathway for students who want focused ensemble time, momentum between school years, and a joyful reason to keep instruments out.

Saturday Ensembles

Larger-group weekend learning where students rehearse, listen across sections, practice leadership, and feel the sound of a fuller ensemble.

Musical Mentoring

Older students, volunteers, and teaching artists help younger musicians build confidence, practice habits, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Student Teaching

Leadership opportunities for advanced students to assist, model, coach, and see themselves as future educators or community musicians.

Performances

Concerts, festivals, Fairyland appearances, Play On! Festival moments, and community performances give students a public reason to prepare.

Volunteer Pathways

Musicians and neighbors can support rehearsals, events, outreach, documentation, fundraising, transportation, and student encouragement.

Where students connect

Schools, libraries, and community spaces make access real.

Current public program language names Urban Promise Academy, Achieve Elementary, Oakland Unity Middle School, Oakland Unity High School, Garfield Elementary, and Melrose Library in collaboration with Oakland Symphony MUSE.

  • Urban Promise Academy
  • Achieve Elementary
  • Oakland Unity Middle School
  • Oakland Unity High School
  • Garfield Elementary
  • Melrose Library
  • Oakland Symphony MUSE