Some of the most heart-felt and emotional concerts presented by Berkeley Symphony happen behind the scenes in school auditoriums at 9:00 a.m. Though only a handful of our regular patrons have heard these concerts, they have a strong and enthusiastic following—from the students and teachers at Berkeley's elementary schools.

Berkeley Symphony's Music Education Program serves over 1,500 Berkeley elementary school students each year. Our program received one of three inaugural "Bank of America Awards for Excellence in Music Education", sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League. The program runs from fall to spring and includes classroom visits, an introductory Berkeley Symphony performance, and a final "I'm a Performer" concert, for which each and every class learns a song to perform with Berkeley Symphony as their very own "back-up band!" Students sing, play simple percussion instruments they make in class, or perform on string and band instruments they are learning to play. The program serves every public elementary school in Berkeley on a rotating basis, however our goal is to secure funding so that the program may reach every school, every year.

Our Students @ the Symphony program offers 4th and 5th grade students in our Music Education Program complimentary tickets to attend Berkeley Symphony’s season concerts with a parent or guardian. The goal of the program is to bring students and their families into our concert hall to experience music in a new environment.

For more information contact Ming Luke, Berkeley Symphony's Education Director/Conductor, at (510) 841-2800.