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This Saturday, August 29, new and returning musicians and their families are invited to “Season’s First Downbeat.” This is a family orientation to meet the conductors and administrative staff. The event will be held virtually this year.

Take a look at what some of our SDYS students have been practicing this summer!

Thank you to Isabella, Christine, Dennis, Aria, Anqi, Ava, AJ, Sathvi, Justin, Cynthia, and Julia for your submission!

Fall 2020 plans have been released. You can view it here.

The SDYS offices have re-closed due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept cash payments at this time. Checks/money orders can be mailed to our Balboa Park office located at:

1650 El Prado, Suite 207A

San Diego, CA 92101

Staff will continue to work from home and are available via email and phone.

Please visit sdys.org/COVID-19 for any new information.

Would you like to be a Guest Musician for ChIMES@Home?

We are looking for SDYS students and alumni to demonstrate their instrument for young children ages 0-5 and their caregivers as a Volunteer Guest Musician.

Our early childhood ChIMES classes are currently being run virtually, with live Zoom classes and access to additional video content. ChIMES families love meeting SDYS students of all ages and abilities and hearing them play their instruments, and we would like to continue offering this opportunity in an online format.

Guest Musicians will participate in a casual "interview" via Zoom with a ChIMES staff member, in which you will play a short piece of music (your choice), a simple children's song, and answer a few questions about your instrument and your background.

This is a fun experience that not only helps inspire and educate our youngest SDYS kids, but also counts for volunteer or community service hours!

Please email chimes@sdys.org if you are interested in this opportunity or if you have any questions. Thank you!

Nao Nadahara, Ovation cellist, has been giving mini cul-de-sac concerts for his neighbors. According to Nao, “The pandemic cut everyone off from listening to live performances of anything, including classical music. While it's true that you can hear it on the radio or on a video, most would agree that it's just not the same as it would be if one listened to a performance live. I decided to give a bit of joy and a sense of community in midst of these trying times. For example, my neighbors, mostly elderly, have not seen their families or friends because of the higher risk involved with meeting someone outside of their relative area. Being able to perform despite being in different conditions is very much like the old ‘normal’ we had before COVID-19 hit – and this idea of everything being ‘normal’ gives that reassurance that not everything was taken away from us, that there's still good things to look back on now, and in the future. It makes me feel comfortable, reassured, when I perform.” Read more about it here. Kudos, Nao!

Music students and their parents are invited to join a conversation about their future in the arts. Learn what to expect in the years ahead as students navigate academic life and prepare to launch professional careers in the arts. Have your questions answered by violinist Tessa Lark, composer and bassist Michael Thurber, Assistant Director of the Center for Innovation and Community Impact at Colburn School, Jazmín Morales, and La Jolla Music Society’s Education & Community Engagement Manager, Allison Boles. Open to music students and their parents.

The LA Phil seeks to encourage young musicians to develop their creative voice through music composition. The Nancy and Barry Sanders Composer Fellowship Program (CFP) the leverages the resources and offerings of the Los Angeles Philharmonic to support and guide aspiring young composers and young musicians who have yet to explore their music writing skills.

Designed by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky, this tuition-free program is administered by the LA Phil, under the direction of CFP Program Director Andrew Norman, Lead Teaching Artist Sarah Gibson, and Teaching Artist Thomas Kotcheff.

We recognize that many young musicians do not have access to nor have considered composition lessons or classes. Throughout all the LA Phil’s learning programs, we see many creative young musicians who may not have ever written music down on a page, but who could flourish as composers given the right environment and resources. For this reason, we have adapted our application requirements for the 2020/21 cycle. Applicants may submit written compositions, improvisations, or performances on their instrument to be considered. Prior composition experience is no longer a requirement for the program. Any Southern California musician in grades 9–12 who is interested in pursuing composition with dedication is encouraged to apply.

Program Overview

*subject to social distancing guidelines set out by state and local health officials

To learn more about eligibility and application requirements, click here or email composers@laphil.org.

SAY San Diego is able to assist with the following FREE services:

Services offered are short term, strengths–based and take place virtually from your own home.

Please contact SAY at (858) 829-8904 or (858) 213-4505 for more information.

Please click here for the referral form, the flyer in English, and the flyer in Spanish.

In lieu of in-person campus visits, Vanderbilt welcomes you to register for a Virtual Blair School of Music Information Session. These sessions will provide the same comprehensive Info Session material that would be presented during a Blair Tour, and will be led by one of our Blair Admissions representatives.