Baltimore City Public Schools

The Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) partners with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to promote the OrchKids program. It has provided the office and classroom facilities to make this program possible. Dr. Andres Alonso, CEO of BCPSS, has been an active advocate for OrchKids since its inception in 2008, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership as OrchKids continues to expand into more City schools and neighborhoods.

The Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA)

The Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) holds concerts where OrchKids students play side by side with BSA students and/or young musicians in the T.W.I.G.S. program. The BSA also hosts matinee performances during the school day that OrchKids attend.

The Peabody Institute

The Peabody Institute partners with OrchKids by giving access to its musical resources. It provides the students with tickets to various concerts and events, serves as a resource for sheet music and recordings, and collaborates with the students in concert. Peabody also acts as an educational consultant for OrchKids and provides a pool of qualified teaching artists and interns.

Rebuilding through Art Project

For over a decade, RAP has hosted successful art projects in West Baltimore neighborhoods and schools, and is now recognized as a leading organization in implementing community-based workshops that result in notable artistic work. RAP creates musically-themed murals at OrchKids sites, and, partners with OrchKids to offer participating youth visual arts workshops weekly.

The Family League of Baltimore City

The Family League of Baltimore provides professional development training to OrchKids teachers, acts as the liaison between public schools and the BSO and works with the BSO to evaluate student progress. In addition, the Family League’s Child and Adult Food Care Program partners with OrchKids to provide a substantial and nutritious meal before each after-school day. OrchKids is one of several community programs that receives financial support from The Family League.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) partners with the BSO in evaluation and assessment of the OrchKids program. The BSO has also recently expanded its partnership with UMBC to found a new 1-Year Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Music Entrepreneurship (15 credits). Curriculum includes El Sistema methodology and application in OrchKids; establishing music organizations; and, BSO internships (including the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras).