Each of the MSO’s professional musicians started their journey as a student eager to learn music, play the recorder, and pick their first instrument. Those early lessons are where students begin to grow their creativity while learning about teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking. When hiring new employees, 72% of business leaders say creativity is the top skill they seek and 97% of superintendents say music courses foster creative skills1. The MSO has two programs that cultivate these skills to help foster a new generation that’s creative and successful in our community: the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) and our partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Link Up music education program.
Since 1986, the MSYO has provided high quality music education for talented young instrumental students. Our MSYO students have the unique opportunity to develop these skills year-round through concerts, specialized coachings, and the ability to perform along-side the Modesto Symphony’s professional musicians which we aim to bring back as we continue to return to normal after virtual learning. These opportunities not only create memories to last a lifetime, but challenge them and foster their teamwork and creativity skills that will allow them to succeed in the future.
The MSO is also one of only six organizations in California to partner with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and its Link Up program. Through the Link Up program, the MSO works with school districts and teachers to help provide thousands of 3rd-5th grade students music education for little or no cost per student to the school districts each year. The Link Up program provides hands-on learning on the fundamentals of music through learning to play the recorder. The program ends with an extraordinary and inspiring performance at the Gallo Center for the Arts where every seat in the hall is filled by a young student who gets to play their recorder and perform in a culminating concert with the professional Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
Please help us continue to celebrate the impact of music education by supporting our Music Education is Fundamental campaign. Supporting this campaign will lift thousands of local students from grades 3 through 12 to new heights by keeping our MSYO tuition well below the industry standard, ensuring accessibility for all, and helping us continue to partner with Carnegie Hall and continue to present Link Up.
A gift today makes a difference by:
Expanding the number of specialized coachings offered each season for MSYO students
Supporting our local teachers participating in the Link Up program by offering specialized support
Increasing the number of students participating in the MSYO by bolstering their scholarship funds
On behalf of our current students, our future students, and countless successful alumni, please support these programs today to keep the impact of music education resonating throughout the community. The Modesto Symphony Orchestra believes that music education isn’t just beneficial, but fundamental and your gift allows students of all backgrounds the opportunity to excel today and in the future.
78% of Americans feel learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subjects.
89% of teachers & 82% of parents rate music education highly as a source for greater student creativity, a 21st century skill that’s highly likely to help young people stand out in an increasingly competitive global economy.
