Melody Program
Overview
Since 2005, the Melody Program provides students in under-resourced communities with complimentary private and small group music education, along with performance opportunities. Our goal is to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to actively participate in their school orchestra and explore additional musical avenues beyond their school program if interested.
All Melody students are encouraged – and supported – in their efforts to prepare for auditions, whether for a youth orchestra program such as HYS, or for magnet or college level programs.
Melody Plus and Melody in Schools
Melody Plus provides weekly private one-on-one lessons to young musicians ages 7 to 19 throughout the Houston area who do not have access to a private instructor and demonstrate a financial need. This is available to eligible students in HYS’s Youth Orchestra Program, graduates of HYS’s Coda Music Program, as well as young musicians around the Houston area who audition and earn a place in this program.
Melody in Schools brings individualized instruction to string students during the school day at Marshall Middle School and Northside High School.
All students receive weekly free 30 to 60-minute lessons by highly qualified HYS teaching artists. Students participate in a mid-year jury review and the year culminates in a recital for friends and family members.
The application opens in the fall with lessons being offered during the school year. To learn more, please contact:
Stephen Bachicha, Operations Manager: stephen@houstonyouthsymphony.org.
What Melody Means to Our Students
“It means having an opportunity to grow as a player despite not having the same recourses as others around me.”
“Melody has helped develop me more as a player despite not having the same resources as others who can pay for private lessons.”
– 2023 Melody Students