Harmony

Creating stronger learners, building confidence, and opening new doors through music

Harmony Overview

Harmony is a string instruction program that breaks down barriers and uses music as a tool for social transformation. It empowers students to make a positive impact in school and society. Harmony is inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education philosophy that develops the whole student and meets specific community needs.

Launched in 2016 as a small, barrier-free after-school program, Harmony has since expanded to serve up to 75 second- through fifth-grade students at Riverview Spanish-English Dual Immersion School in St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood and 40 second- and third-grade students at L’Étoile du Nord.

During the school year, Riverview Harmony participants meet every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am to 9:15 am before school to learn violin or cello. L’Étoile Harmony participants meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the same time frame. Harmony students perform in various concerts throughout the year, including at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and in collaboration with GTCYS’ orchestras. Students also benefit from extensive summer programming, including camps and weekly jam sessions.  The annual participation fee is $20 per student, which is waived for families who can’t afford it. Harmony is made possible with generous support from GTCYS’ donor community.

Upon graduating from fifth grade, Harmony alumni advance into GTCYS’ school-year orchestras and benefit from weekly, sponsored private lessons and instruments paid for and provided by GTCYS. More than 40 of our program’s alumni are now GTCYS orchestra musicians.

Online Calendar

• View and subscribe to the Harmony Riverview Calendar »
• View and subscribe to the Harmony L’Etoile Calendar »

Program Objectives

• To provide students with opportunities to learn a musical instrument and develop their musical performance skills
• To promote social-emotional learning, which contributes to students’ positive outcomes in school and society
• To foster a lifelong passion for and interest in music
• To open doors to new opportunities and experiences

Watch a Harmony Performance

Enjoy their live performance of Rafael dos Santos’ Bolo de Limão.

Faculty

• • Visit the GTCYS Board & Staff page to see the complete list of Harmony faculty.