The San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Conservatory in the Schools program is designed to provide intensive support for music programs in disadvantaged San Francisco schools. Our partnership provides arts education for students who lack exposure to classical music performance and training. During the 2007-2008 academic year more than 800 children were educated by 20 Conservatory collegiate student mentors in six public schools: Starr King Elementary School, Leonard Flynn Elementary School, Spring Valley Elementary, Dr. William L. Cobb Elementary, Lafayette Elementary School and Presidio Middle School.

The CIS program provides vital support that makes it possible for the participating schools to continue providing a high-quality music education program for their students even as schools face severe budget cuts from government sources. The program also provides an opportunity for Conservatory students to contribute to the community while gaining experience in teaching.

Current programs include:

Mentoring
We provide Conservatory student coaches to work in classrooms under a master teacher for two-hour periods each week. Their coaching activities focus on instrumental and vocal instruction for 1st-5th grade students. In addition to benefiting disadvantaged children in San Francisco, the program provides classroom training for Conservatory students.

After school programs
We help partner schools with little or no music curricula develop after school instrumental and vocal programs. Our student coaches form meaningful individual relationships with participants in order to increase self-esteem, listening abilities and attention spans, as well as to increase students' exposure to classical music.

The Magic Flute
Assistant Opera Director Heather Carolo and Opera Theatre students presented a production of Mozart's The Magic Flute to students at the Leonard Flynn Elementary School and Starr King Elementary School, introducing children to opera.

“I learned that I can do anything in my life -- and I can learn new stuff.“

Partner Schools

Each partner school must meet the following criteria for inclusion in the program:

• The economic status of families whose children attend the school is low and moderate income level.
• The school is committed to providing high quality music education.
• The students willingly participate in program.

Conservatory in the Schools is generously underwritten by the following: The David B. Gold Foundation, The Wells Fargo Foundation and Macy's Foundation.

For more information, please contact elowry@sfcm.edu