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On Saturday, August 29 musicians and their families, new and returning, are invited to “Season’s First Downbeat.” This is a family orientation to meet the conductors and administrative staff. This year, the event will be held virtually. Please plan to hold the following times for your child's Season's First Downbeat info session:

9:30am-10:30am

11:00am-12:00pm

12:30pm-1:30pm

All Ovation program will have their pre-season get together on Thursday, September 10 at 6:00 pm.

Has your student been practicing this summer? If so, consider videoing a snippet of their practice session and send it to us! We are collecting videos of all students at any level practicing this summer and we will compile a short, shareable video. Whether they are getting ready for college auditions or are just getting ready for the new season to start, we look forward to seeing them play their instrument!

Please send videos to Anna, conservatory program assistant, at asharp@sdys.org.

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!

In the midst of COVID and staying connected to our SDYS families and partners, we thought what better way to do so than to share a glimpse into the music that brings SDYS staff comfort, peace, joy, excitement, inspiration, and beauty. Check out this playlist with a rotating selection of SDYS staff favorites!

Alvin Wang, Sinfonia violinist, and Caitlin Wang, Philharmonia violinist, won a competition from the New Talent British International Youth Music Competition. Alvin won a Silver award in String category from age group 12-14 and Caitlin won Gold award in String category from age group 9-11. Kudos, Alvin and Caitlin!

Erica Wang, Ovation assistant principal flute, won second place at the National Flute Association (NFA) Annual National High School Soloist Competition and won the Deveau Scholarship for Best Performance of a Commissioned Work. Kudos, Erica!

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.