Serving our Community

Music in New Haven Public Schools

The programs of the Music in Schools Initiative are supported by an endowment established by the Yale College Class of 1957.

Teaching Artists

» Apply to become a Teaching Artist

The Teaching Artists program places Yale School of Music graduate students in New Haven Public School classrooms as assistants to NHPS music teachers. YSM Teaching Artists work approximately 5 hours each week during the school year to support these music programs in various capacities – simultaneously contributing to the classroom and improving their teaching skills. Teaching Artists lead group lessons, work one-on-one with individual students, and assist with related activities like music theory and ear training.

The School of Music has long-standing Teaching Artists programs at three New Haven Public Schools: John C. Daniels School, Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, and Lincoln-Bassett School. Students are also placed in 10-20 other NHPS schools each year, depending on teacher requests. YSM Teaching Artists work closely with Lead Teacher Rubén Rodríguez and our Visiting Professor of Community Engagement to hone their skills in the classroom.

All-City Honors Band

» Sign up for an audition for the All-City Honors Band now

The All-City Honors Band was founded in spring 2011, under the baton of Dr. Thomas C. Duffy, Director of Yale Bands. A collaboration between the Yale School of Music and the New Haven Public Schools, the Band is open for audition to all NHPS students in 5th-12th grades who play brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The Band gives talented student musicians the opportunity to participate in an honors level band environment. Students must maintain membership in their own school’s music ensemble as well, if one is available.

The All-City Honors Band rehearses weekly throughout the spring in the Yale Band Room on Yale’s campus. Their season culminates with a public performance in Sprague Hall at the Yale School of Music. Membership in the group comprises musicians from schools around New Haven, who are admitted to the Band based on auditions in January each year.

All-City Honors Chorus

» Sign up for an audition for the All-City Honors Chorus now

The All-City Honors Chorus was founded in spring 2010, under direction of Jonathan Berryman, Choral Director at Betsy Ross Arts School. Mr. Berryman is joined in leadership of the Chorus by Meaghan Sheehan, music teacher at Brennan Rogers School, and other guest conductors. A collaboration between the Yale School of Music, the Yale Glee Club, and the New Haven Public Schools, the All-City Honors Chorus gives talented NHPS students in 5th-12th grades the opportunity to participate in an honors level choral environment. Students are expected to maintain membership in their own school’s chorus as well, if one is available.

The All-City Honors Chorus rehearses weekly throughout the spring in the Yale Glee Club Room. Their first public performance was held on March 23, 2010 in Woolsey Hall on the Yale campus. Each year, they perform concerts at the Yale Glee Club/NHPS High School & Honors Chorus Festival, as well as at NHPS and Yale School of Music venues. Membership in the group comprises singers from schools throughout New Haven, who are admitted to the Chorus based on auditions in January each year.

All-City Honors Orchestra

» Sign up for an audition for the All-City Honors Orchestra now

The All-City Honors Orchestra will play its first season in spring 2013, under the direction of Netta Hadari. Mr. Hadari is Development Director and teacher at Music Haven, Ensembles Conductor of the Greater New Haven Youth Orchestra, and a YSM alumnus. The Orchestra is collaboration between the Yale School of Music and the New Haven Public Schools, in partnership with Music Haven, Neighborhood Music School, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Auditions for the All-City Honors Orchestra are open to all NHPS students in 4th-12th grades who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. This ensemble gives talented student musicians the opportunity to participate in an honors level orchestral environment; students must maintain membership in their own school’s orchestra as well, if one is available.

The Orchestra rehearses weekly throughout the spring at Yale University. The 2013 season will culminate in a debut performance in Sprague Hall at the Yale School of Music. Membership in the group comprises musicians from schools around New Haven, who are admitted to the Orchestra based on auditions in January each year.

2013 season rehearsals will feature a number of guest teachers, including William Boughton, Music Director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra; Daniel Bernard Roumain, composer and performer; members of the Haven String Quartet; and YSM Teaching Artists.

Yale/New Haven Young Artists Solo Competition

The Yale/New Haven Young Artists Solo Competition is an annual event in Sprague Hall at the Yale School of Music, first held on May 10, 2008. A collaboration between the School of Music and the New Haven Public Schools, this Competition offers NHPS students the opportunity to appear before a panel of judges made up of music professionals from Yale, NHPS, and community music organizations. Top performers are awarded prizes, including tickets for their family to attend a Yale School of Music performance.

The Competition is divided into multiple levels by age group. In the 4th-8th grade divisions, student musicians must be nominated by their school (up to three nominations per school) and are invited to compete on percussion, strings, brass, and woodwind instruments. The upper level competition is open to all 9th-12th grade NHPS students, who can compete as vocalists as well as on the instruments listed for 4th-8th grades. Participating students prepare classical music solos, 5 minutes or less in length, and may perform with piano accompaniment if they desire.

For questions about any of these programs, please contact Rubén Rodríguez, Lead Teacher (ruben.rodriguez@yale.edu) or Michel Yaffe, Associate Dean (michael.yaffe@yale.edu). NHPS students and their families can also talk to their music teachers for more information.