Elementary School

Melody & Harmony:
An interactive elementary school music program

Students in grades 3 – 5 are invited to join characters Melody and Harmony on an interactive journey exploring answers to the question: How does music connect us?

Teachers can mix and match in-person and online experiences that support their classroom goals, and prepare students for a culminating concert where they sing and play along with the orchestra.

All program participants receive access to:

• Educator professional development workshop
• 8 – 10 week classroom curriculum with video resources featuring San Diego Symphony musicians
• Chamber ensemble visit to your campus
• Culminating school concert at Jacobs Music Center or virtual access

San Diego Symphony school programs are free to all participants. Transportation is not included.

(An elementary school student reflects on their experience at a recent San Diego Symphony school concert.)

PROGRAM GOALS

The Melody and Harmony unit guides students on an exploration to learn the fundamentals of music, build a joy of listening, and develop the skills to perform together.

Goal 1: Foster music appreciation: building skills to listen (exposure)
Students will be able to listen with curiosity.

Goal 2: Develop music literacy: connecting language to sound (practice)
Students will be able to comprehend music with specific terminology to enrich individual musical tastes.

Goal 3: Create community: working together to perform as an ensemble (performance)
Students will learn to make music together to confidently perform alongside the orchestra at the culminating concert.

TAILOR YOUR EXPERIENCE

Create a program that works best for your classroom! We know that every teacher and school has unique goals and needs. Mix and match the components below to design the school program that supports your students' learning the best.

• Educator Professional Development
• Interactive Classroom Curriculum
• Chamber Ensemble School Visit
• Culminating School Concert at Jacobs Music Center

Educator Professional Development: Prepare to implement

Learn more about the curriculum, meet our team, access resources, and get all your questions answered in this professional development workshop. The workshop will include repertoire review and creative lesson extensions.

Professional Development Workshops will be hosted by San Diego Symphony staff at Jacobs Music Center or The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

• Monday, December 9, 2024: 5 – 6:30pm
• Wednesday, January 15, 2025: 5 – 6:30pm
• Tuesday, January 28, 2025: 5 – 6:30pm

If you would like to host a Professional Development Workshop at your school or for your district, you can let us know on your registration form or by contacting us at education@sandiegosymphony.org.

Classroom Curriculum: 8 – 10 weeks of interactive lessons

Designed for general classroom teachers and music teachers to implement, this curriculum introduces students to music fundamentals and prepares them to sing and play along in the culminating concert with the orchestra. Each week, the characters Melody and Harmony guide the students in their learning through fun activities, challenges, and reflections. Video resources featuring San Diego Symphony musicians introduce each family of instruments and are built into each lesson. After attending the concert, students review their experience and deepen their connections with each other and the orchestra.

Meet the Musicians: A Chamber Music Experience

Photo by Jenna Selby

A small ensemble of San Diego Symphony musicians will visit your school. Your students will learn about the individual instruments and instrument family, alongside an introduction to the fundamentals of music (melody, harmony, phrase, solo, ensemble and more!)

Note: Chamber ensemble visits will need to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time with teachers and musicians. Register early, limited availability.

San Diego Symphony School Concert: Live or Online

Photo by Gary Payne

Bring your students to Jacobs Music Center or tune in online for a 45-minute interactive school concert. Students will meet the musicians, sing along and play along with the orchestra, and listen to contrasting works by some of history’s greatest composers.

In-person school concerts will be held on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, April 16, 2025: 10:30am
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025: 12:00pm
• Thursday, April 17, 2025: 10:30am
• Thursday, April 17, 2025: 12:00pm
• Friday, April 18, 2025: 10:30am
• Friday, April 18, 2025: 12:00pm

Register early to secure your classroom’s spot in the live, in-person concert. Requests for concert tickets will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. One chaperone is required for every 10 students.

IMPORTANT DATES

Registration Deadlines

Register early to ensure your students have access to all Melody & Harmony experiences. Some elements of the program have limited capacity, and will be accessible on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Friday, October 25, 2024: Round 1. Register before this date to secure a chamber ensemble visit to your classroom.
• Friday, February 7, 2025: Round 2. Register before this date to ensure your classroom’s attendance at the April in-person concerts. Note: space is limited, register early.
• Friday, April 4, 2025: Round 3. Register before this date to access the live-streamed school concert.

REGISTER NOW

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

KPBS Coverage: The San Diego Symphony uses Sound and Silence to teach elementary school students about music

KPBS Coverage: Elementary students play with San Diego Symphony for grand performance at Rady Shell

TESTIMONIALS

The curriculum went along and even deeper than what they are learning in music class.The students really enjoyed it and it even made some of them want to join band or orchestra next year.
  -Mt. Woodson Elementary School teacher 

We had an amazing time during our chamber music campus visit this week. The kids (and adults) were thrilled to be able to see and hear the music in action, as well as be able to interact with the musicians and author of the curriculum.
    -Jerabek Elementary School teacher

It is inspiring to observe our students developing their own discerning ears for music. The way they listen to music has evolved since we began the program. The kids are now becoming equipped with terminology to describe music they hear and sing. They are using words like tempo and pitch. This program is a gift of music for these youngsters. I am hoping it will take hold and spread to all of our schools.
  -Pacific Beach Elementary School teacher

We appreciate the opportunity to listen to the wonderful forte and allegro music. I loved seeing the harp make an appearance. I could feel the music and all the vibrations. I am inspired to play an instrument, thank you for giving me that fabulous experience.
-Student from Chet F. Harritt School

Thank you for the great music. My favorite song was ‘Juba Dance.’ The students next year will love your music. I hope they will feel calm and happy. Thank you for inviting us, I hope to come to another one of your shows.
-Student from Vista Grande Elementary School

Thank you for the beautiful music. My favorite part was singing ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube.’ I loved seeing the Symphony and I learned so much.
-Student from Del Mar Heights Elementary School

SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you to the educators that spent countless hours developing this program alongside San Diego Symphony staff.

CONTACT

For more information or questions about San Diego Symphony’s elementary school program, please email education@sandiegosymphony.org.

REGISTER NOW