Conservatories/music programs with great outreach programs!!!

Yo world of Collegeconfidential music friends!!

Lately, I have been doing some research on music outreach programs run by music schools and conservatories and have been investigating partnerships between public school systems and institutions of higher education (in all fine arts areas, but music in particular). (All outreach programs interest me, but especially educational outreach/with K-12 students/in education spaces)

I want to ask the world of college confidential: in your vast array of opinions and experiences, what music schools and conservatories do you think have the BEST outreach programs?? (especially in urban education/in public schools/with students in underfunded schools/in places where students don’t have access to quality arts ed)

Can you think of a music school that has started a really outstanding/groundbreaking outreach program with local students? What makes these programs really good? What does a great partnership between a music school and students in the community look like, what schools do you think other music schools across the country can look to as models for K12 outreach?? Which programs do you think reduce inequities in music education in meaningful ways??

I’m talking real, quality programs here where the university/conservatory has a marked and genuine, thought-out interest in the community and in education especially-- not just “we play at nursing homes sometimes”/“sometimes we play concerts at school assemblies”/“uh we have a community music school”-- like programs where music performance students can do great outreach work (so “we don’t have/do music education” is not an excuse), where the outreach program is designed to adapt to the needs of the community intelligently and students really get out there in the community (and not the other way around-- i.e. only running their programs at the school)

All types of schools will be considered-- but i’m specifically curious about schools that are known to have excellent music programs and have a lot of talented students (“big name” schools or “big in the music world” I guess)… mostly because so many of these incredible schools are close to, sometimes right across the street from schools without arts opportunities but music students never go there, and I think it’s such a waste!!! (like why are y’all so stuck in your ‘practice bubbles’ lol) I want to know what the exceptions are to this. I’m also, of course, considering the “underdog” schools out there, because I know that name isn’t everything! Also considering: schools in cities that are on the frontline of education reform, as well as schools that consider diversity issues (in the arts as well as in education… racism in the classical music world is f*cked up and music schools should be talking abt that but that’s another story)
Looking at programs with MM degrees especially (imho MM students are often at a higher level of maturity/professionality to do meaningful outreach work and can be more connected with the ‘outside world’) but also of course i’m looking at schools that have great outreach opportunities for undergrad and grad students alike!!

TL;DR which institutions of higher music education have RAD music outreach programs with local K12 students???
I couldn’t really find a reliable list/info online so any information is appreciated!!

Lemme know what you guys think!!!

Take a look at CIM. They have a partnership with the Cleveland School of the Arts. They do outreach into the community via a virtual learning program and they recently launched a mentorship program for young African American and Latino music students. You would have to research how extensive these programs are and if they fit what you are looking for.

Juilliard has a very well-developed and funded community outreach program for all divisions. These programs are competitive but open to students in both the BM and MM programs (and some, such as the Gluck program are interdisciplinary, so musicians can form ensembles with dancers and actors.) My daughter was involved in multiple outreach fellowship programs there during undergrad and grad. The fellowship stipends were generous enough that we did not have to support her living expenses beginning her third year of undergrad. Better, the MAP and Morse fellowships were instrumental (<<<pun) in her being qualified for an selected for highly competitive teaching artist positions and a performance/outreach fellowship following graduation from MM. I can give further details over DM.

The school has a very well-developed training program for fellows, who are fully supported in every way in their outreach. These fellowships were one of the reasons (among others of course) that Juilliard was her first choice for undergrad, and then to stay on for MM.

https://www.juilliard.edu/school/alan-d-marks-center-career-services-and-entrepreneurship/grants-awards-and-fellowships

https://www.juilliard.edu/juilliard-all/community-engagement-programs

The Frost School of Music (U of Miami) has the MusicReach program which provides musical experiences for students in the Miami-Dade area. Frost students closely work with the outreach program.

https://musicreach.frost.miami.edu/

USC Thornton has many community outreach programs, both short and long term. https://music.usc.edu/communityengagement/

I second USC. They are expensive, but their alumni network and outreach are huge in the So Cal area ( read music industry and Hollywood ). Second largest alumni network in the nation as well, after Harvard. Out west, that’s the the big fish.

Have you heard of El Sistema? (I believe NEC has an El Sistema outreach program)

Also Berklee’s Global Jazz Program mission’s is to focus on music for the social good. Danilo Perez is passionate about that subject. He is also very involved with the Panama Jazz Festival which does education throughout the year.

More on USC Thornton community outreach initiatives:
https://www.provost.usc.edu/usc-arts-in-action/

As an example, here’s an upcoming event:
http://visionsandvoices.usc.edu/events/listing.php?event_id=1416645