Melodic Musings

"My hope is that listeners hear themselves in this music." — Daniel Bernard Roumain

On February 20, the Oakland Symphony explores what it means to belong. To These Shores features the highly anticipated world premiere of America, To US by Artist-in-Residence Daniel Bernard Roumain—a piece that challenges us to imagine a better democracy.

The program also features works by contemporary powerhouses Chen Yi and Reena Esmail, alongside Mahler’s Symphony No. 10.

We want our community at the Paramount! See below for Hall Pass information to access complimentary or discounted seats.

Oakland Symphony’s Hall Pass Program provides free concert tickets to all Oakland Symphony performances for students, families, and school staff at Title I schools. Participants from non–Title I schools and neighboring school districts are also eligible for discounted $10 tickets.

Please click here or on the flier below to obtain access codes to your complimentary or discounted tickets.

For questions or additional information, please contact Carmina Eylar or Rachel Kim at the bottom of this newsletter.

Oakland Symphony offers complimentary concert tickets to community organizations that serve low income residents and historically marginalized groups. Please click here or the attached flier for access codes.

We look forward to welcoming you and being in community together at one of our concerts soon! Please email us if you would like to plan a "Symphony Night" for your organization.

On Sundays, February 8 and 15, the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO) takes the stage at the Valley Center for the Performing Arts (3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA) for its Chamber Concert Series. These performances are free to the public and offer a front-row seat to the passion, musicianship, and collaboration of our young artists. Join us at 2:00 PM to experience chamber music up close.

Link to February 8 ticket page

Link to February 15 ticket page

The Entrance Audition Application for the 2026-2027 Season is now open! The deadline for video submissions and applications is March 31. Students invited to join OSYO have the thrilling opportunity in summer 2027 to participate in the international youth orchestra tour to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. For more information on audition requirements, please visit our website.

In other exciting news, OSYO is launching a new string ensemble for intermediate and advanced players. This program is designed as a rigorous training ground for musicians preparing to transition into the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. More details coming soon!

What does a professional conductor look like? For OUSD students, he looks like a mentor. In December, Maestro Kedrick Armstrong launched his educational residency by trading the big stage for the classroom. He worked side-by-side with student musicians to polish their sound and demystify the world of symphonic music. The experience came full circle at the Paramount, where students got to watch the Maestro command the stage at our Let Us Break Bread Together concert.

The winter season was a busy one for MUSE Stringendo ensembles. After weeks of practice, our young students stepped out of the classroom and into the spotlight for their school winter concerts. It was an inspiring sight for families and staff alike to witness the culmination of months of hard work.

Under the mentorship of Mr. Brian Cross at Bret Harte Middle School, student conductor Anna Nguyen-Khoa took the leap from the classroom to the center stage of the Paramount, conducting this year's performance of Sleigh Ride. Leading a professional symphony for the first time is no small feat, but Anna did it with effortless presence and energy!

Ms. Ariel Wang is an Oakland-based violinist, composer, and singer-songwriter dedicated to capturing the human experience through music. A mentee of composer Ryan Shore, she writes for ensembles ranging from choirs to string quartets. Her recent achievements include the 2025 orchestral premiere of "Integration" and the debut of her choral piece "Resilience" with the Free Key Choir. In 2026, the Women Composers Collective premiered her piano trio "Blossom." A versatile, multi-genre performer, Ms. Wang has accompanied artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill at the Oakland Coliseum while remaining deeply rooted in the local community through diverse performances and venues.

Every story of student growth and community connection shared in this newsletter is made possible by you. We are deeply grateful to the supporters investing in the vibrant future of Oakland—[click here to see our full list of generous donors].

We would also like to extend a special thank you to the following foundations for their vital partnership

• Pacific Harmony Foundation

• San Francisco Symphony

• Schwartz Family Foundation

• Sidney E. Frank Foundation

Thank you for championing music education in the Town!

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 a wonderful year ahead filled with learning, growth, and community spirit.

Warm regards,

Rachel Kim, Ed.D.
Director of Education & Social Impact

rkim@oaklandsymphony.org

Direct: (510) 274-6364

Carmina Eylar

Youth Program Manager

ceylar@oaklandsymphony.org

Direct: ((510) 274-6360