Melodic Musings
Oakland Symphony Insights
Get ready for one of the most popular holiday events in Oakland, described as an "inspired, multifarious, musical bash" by the San Francisco Classical Voice! 🎉
This year, Maestro Kedrick Armstrong will lead the Oakland Symphony in our annual holiday tradition, Let Us Break Bread Together, paying a magnificent tribute to the music of Whitney Houston.
Join us at the Paramount Theatre for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the region's leading artists and choirs. This performance is a true expression of community, belonging, and joy, showcasing the heart of Oakland during the holidays. Secure your seats now - tickets are going fast!
🎶 Event Details & Tickets
What: Let Us Break Bread Together: A Tribute to Whitney Houston
When: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4:00 PM
Where: Paramount Theatre (2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA)
Tickets: LINK TO TICKET PAGE
The Oakland Symphony is deeply committed to making the joy of our music accessible to every member of the Oakland community. For our highly popular Let Us Break Bread Together concert, we are offering complimentary tickets through the Hall Pass Program, though availability is limited this year.
We are pleased to provide a maximum of four complimentary tickets for members of our OUSD Title I school partners and community non-profit organizations serving historically marginalized groups.
Please Note: As this concert is anticipated to be a sold-out show, complimentary tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. We highly encourage you to register immediately to secure your seats!
For OUSD Title I Schools: [Click here to access complimentary tickets]
For Non-Profit and Community Organizations: [Click here to access complimentary tickets]
Oakland Symphony's Hall Pass Program offers $10 concert tickets for all other OUSD and neighboring districts. The discount code for $10 tickets is 202526OUSD10.
If you have questions about the Hall Pass Program or are interested in bringing a group from your community, please email rkim@oaklandsymphony.org.
Mr. Brian Cross, music teacher at Bret Harte Middle School, shares his perspectives on the impact of MUSE programs in Oakland Unified schools:
"MUSE VIVO offers OUSD music students a chance to play in higher level ensembles. Students meet for weekly rehearsals in the MUSE VIVO String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. It’s been awesome to see my students grow and mature through their participation in these secondary ensembles. The best part has been the impact it makes on my regular daytime music classes. The VIVO students come back to the classroom as musical leaders, and their experiences emanates throughout their classmates, whether they are stand partners, sectional members, or ensemble members. It’s really helped sharpen our program!"
Ms. Alonso currently teaches with MUSE Stringendo, serves as the Cello Coach at the Berkeley Youth Orchestra (which she first joined as a student!), and maintains a private cello studio. Her philosophy as a music educator is to center enjoyment, explore diverse repertoire and approaches, and foster the personal and musical growth of every student. A versatile performer, she currently performs with the 12-piece rock Renegade Orchestra, the flamenco band Kalifena, and the Latin trio JaLuMi.
We gratefully acknowledge the following donors for their meaningful contributions to the MUSE program:
Pacific Harmony Foundation
San Francisco Symphony
Schwartz Family Foundation
Sidney E. Frank Foundation
Thank you for investing in Oakland's music education!
Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter! If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Education Team.
Stay connected with us through our website as well as Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates. We look forward to continuing the year with learning, growth, and community spirit.
Warm regards,
Rachel Kim, Ed.D.
Director of Education & Social Impact, Oakland Symphony
Direct: (510) 274-6364 ext. 314