In Harmony
In Harmony is a community-based afterschool music program led by the Houston Symphony in partnership with AFA and local community organizations. It aims to provide access to music education and promote life skills through active music-making for children in under-resourced communities who might otherwise not have access to music. In Harmony programs are tailored to each specific community partner, including culturally relevant musical content that allows children to celebrate and share their cultural traditions.
We want to thank our sponsors:
Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana
Program Guarantors
Select the program below to learn more:
DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony
The 2024-25 season marks the third year of the DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program in Houston's vibrant 5th Ward neighborhood. Led by the Houston Symphony in partnership with AFA and the DeLUXE Theater, this community-based after-school initiative uses music and violin instruction to foster a safe, accepting, and inspiring environment for children.
Goals:
- Recruit and maintain consistent engagement of 40-50 students in grades 3-5 from the 5th Ward community, including 15-20 returners and 20-35 beginners.
- Equip students with foundational musical skills, such as reading music, matching and reading pitches and rhythms, and performing individually and in ensembles.
- Develop key life skills in students, such as responsibility, community participation, and pursuit of personal excellence.
- Enhance students’ confidence and performance abilities, aiming to prepare them for prestigious national stages.
- Cultivate a sense of pride among 5th Ward community members in the DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students.
Key Program Elements:
- Free after-school program for children ages 8-11 in the 5th Ward area.
- 4.5 hours of music instruction during three weekly rehearsals throughout the school year.
- Monthly performances across Houston, including at the DeLUXE Theater and the Houston Symphony's lobby after PNC Family Concerts.
- Enhanced confidence and performance abilities, preparing students for prestigious national stages.
reVision In Harmony
Houston reVision teens attend a Houston Symphony concert in February 2024 Check back later for photos of the En Armonía Violin Discovery Series
Launching in the 2024-25 season, the reVision In Harmony program is a partnership between the Houston Symphony and Houston reVision in the Gulfton area of Houston. This initiative offers weekly on-site after-school sessions for youth ages 10-15, centered around Symphony concert experiences. Through music appreciation workshops, the program focuses on developing music literacy skills and fostering interest in diverse musical genres.
Goals:
- Aim to recruit and engage 10-25 students, ages 10-15, cultivating consistent participation throughout each series.
- Develop students’ understanding of musical genres and the elements that define them, tailored to students’ interests.
- Support Houston reVision’s mission to provide transformation experiences that promote students’ personal achievement and growth.
- Build students’ confidence to perform on stages in their community and beyond.
Key Program Elements:
- 8-10 week series of free weekly sessions for Houston reVision youth, ages 10-15. Each series is centered around a Houston Symphony concert experience.
- Exploration of musical elements featured in Symphony concerts, incorporating students' musical skills and interests.
- Active music-making opportunities during sessions, allowing students to perform or showcase their talents.
- Building confidence in Houston reVision youth to perform on stages in their community and beyond.
Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus En Armonia Violin Discovery Series
Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus Check back later for photos of the En Armonía Violin Discovery Series
Launched on October 22, 2024, the En Armonía Violin Discovery Series is a collaboration between the Houston Symphony, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus (SBCC), and AFA. This 8-week program introduces children ages 7-9 to the violin through twice-weekly group lessons, centered in Houston’s Historic Second Ward, or “Segundo Barrio.” This program aims to supplement SBCC’s bilingual after-school chorus program and is designed to promote life skills through violin instruction, utilizing culturally relevant canons of Latin America.
Goals:
- Determine the intricacies of the partnership, including roles and responsibilities, student/program necessities, and performance goals through an 8-week pilot program.
- Recruit and maintain consistent engagement of 20-25 students, ages 7-9 (grades 1-3), in the introductory violin series.
- Foster the development of key life skills in students, including responsibility, community participation, and pursuit of personal excellence.
Key Program Elements:
- Free program for SBCC children ages 7-9.
- Twice-weekly group lessons over 8 weeks from October to December. Future programming will be determined following the completion of the initial series.
- Development of life skills through violin instruction, emphasizing responsibility, community participation, and personal excellence.
Program Sponsors:
