Pathway Musicians

GTCYS PATHWAY MUSICIANS GOALS

GTCYS’ Pathway Musicians Program nurtures the growth and talents of Black/African American and Latinx/Hispanic music students through a comprehensive, personalized support system. With up to $6,000 of annual financial assistance per student and mentoring from a professional musician, this program helps students reach their fullest musical potential within GTCYS and beyond. Pathway scholarships are renewable each year through high school graduation. This new program is designed to address racial disparities in the classical music field and to create opportunities for youth underrepresented in GTCYS.

CORE PROGRAM ELEMENTS

  • COMMITMENT
    • GTCYS staff, teachers, and mentors will work with each Pathway family to set annual musical and personal goals. GTCYS staff is committed to support the growth of every Pathway student.
    • Pathway students will commit to consistent practice, weekly private lesson attendance, monthly mentoring meetings, and performances on their primary instrument. (Each student and private teacher will set developmentally appropriate practice and performance goals.)
    • GTCYS expects Pathway students to participate in a summer music program, either through GTCYS or other programs.
  • INSTRUCTION
    • Weekly private lessons with a highly skilled teacher who will be recommended by the selection committee.
    • Monthly mentoring (in-person or remote) from a professional musician with a similar racial/ethnic background.
    • Waived tuition and fees for GTCYS’ school-year orchestras and summer orchestra membership.
  • ASSESSMENT
    • GTCYS will work with each Pathway family to set goals and create a budget and timeline for their Pathway fund.
    • Pathway staff, private instructors, mentors, students, and parents will convene at least twice a year to assess the progress of these goals together.
  • ENGAGEMENT
    • Pathway students must be active members of a GTCYS school year orchestra, perform in outreach or studio recitals at least twice a year, and attend several live concerts (ticket fees provided by Pathway funds).
    • Advocacy programs such as the Student Leadership Team and GTCYS Ambassadors are highly encouraged elements of the Pathway experience.

Supplementary benefits:

Additional applications of the Pathway fund may include some combination of the following:

  • Assistance upgrading to a higher-quality instrument
  • Instrument maintenance
  • Sheet music purchases
  • Performance opportunities
  • Complimentary admission to local concerts
  • Networking opportunities with professional musicians
  • Assistance with national summer program applications
  • Competition fees
  • Assistance paying for and navigating the process for college applications and auditions (if pursuing music)
  • Transportation to music activities in the Twin Cities and/or for college auditions

If the $6,000 annual Pathway fund is inadequate to meet a Pathway student’s annual needs, GTCYS staff will work with Pathway families to connect students to other sources of funding.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

  • When applying for the Pathway program, students must be in grade 5–10
  • Identify as Black/African American or Latinx/Hispanic
  • Live in the Twin Cities metro
  • Play a standard orchestral instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp)
  • Currently enrolled in a GTCYS orchestra or auditioning for the 2025-26 school year season, or a member of Harmony. Pathway Musicians must participate in a 2025-26 school-year orchestra
  • Applicants must be passionate about developing their instrumental skills and musicianship through the Pathway experience and GTCYS orchestras
  • Financial need on a self-identified basis

Note: GTCYS has other assistance for students who don’t meet these specific parameters. To learn more, visit https://gtcys.org/auditions/assistance.

The application includes:

  • Playing sample: Record and upload a short video of a solo performance that demonstrates the student at their musical best. Maximum length 5 minutes.
  • Written or video statement: Share a written statement (500 words or less) or short video statement by the student describing why they want to be a Pathway Musician and how they hope to benefit.
  • Reference: Name and contact information of someone outside the student’s family who is familiar with the student and their musical aspirations. References could include: music teacher, school classroom teacher, sports coach, school principal, religious leader, work supervisor. GTCYS will contact the reference to learn more about the student.
  • Statement of financial need. Short written statement describing the family’s financial need. Note: formal financial aid applications and income statements aren’t required for this program.

EXPECTATIONS

If selected for the program, Pathway musicians are expected to:

  • Practice regularly and demonstrate musical progress.
  • Attend goal-setting and assessment meetings with the private teacher, mentor, and GTCYS Pathway staff.
  • Attend weekly private lessons consistently.
  • Attend monthly mentoring meetings, either online or in person.
  • Participate in a summer music program (with funding support from the Pathway program).
  • Attend GTCYS orchestra rehearsals and concerts consistently.
  • Perform in outreach or studio recitals at least twice a year, as instructed by the private teacher.
  • Attend professional classical music performances several times per year, as instructed by Pathway staff (ticket fees covered by Pathway funds).
  • Share a short written or video summary describing their Pathway experience 1-2 times/year.
  • Maintain regular communication with Pathway staff to shape the program for future years.
  • Write thank you notes to donors, upon request.
  • Renew for the program each year through high school graduation (contingent upon GTCYS enrollment) is based on the student summary and recommendation from the mentor.

TIMELINE

  • Applications for the 2025 Pathway program were due on June 2.
  • GTCYS will notify applicants of the results by Monday, June 23.
  • Students accepted into the 2025 Pathway Program may enroll in GTCYS’ 2025 Summer Camp and will be required to participate in a 2025-26 school-year orchestra.

ABOUT GTCYS

Mission

In the conviction that music nourishes the mind, body, and spirit of the individual and enriches the community, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) provides a rigorous and inspiring orchestral experience for young musicians.

Access to Excellence 

GTCYS students learn the importance of community engagement and understand that music is most powerful and life-changing when it is shared. Students share their talents through 30 free and ticketed performances across the Twin Cities.

Sharing Music 

GTCYS is committed to both excellence and access. Our educational programs serve more than 1,300 students ages 7-18, meeting them at their musical level and inspiring them to excel musically and build lifelong skills.

Breaking Down Barriers 

To level the playing field, students will benefit from more than $250,000 in need-based scholarships for tuition, private lessons, and the Pathway Program this year. Our community of donors helps create opportunities for every interested student.

Learn more at www.gtcys.org.

Serving Community.
Supported by Community.

Explore stories from students, staff, families, donors, and alumni. Learn about our programs and community impact.

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