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South High band outside Sullivan Middle School

Performing Arts

Programs

Worcester Public Schools After School Band and Orchestra Program

The Worcester UNITES program (formerly known as “Burncoat UNITES”) conceived and directed by students provides students with youth development opportunities and  ensemble opportunities that may not be available at their home school. We are free to any WPS instrumental student in grades 4-8.

Elementary Instrumental Instruction Program

The Worcester Public Schools offer small group instrumental lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola and cello in 22 elementary schools. Families are required to rent or purchase an instrument and method book.

Learn more about the Elementary Instrumental Instruction

Our Community Partners

Our community partners make us successful and remind our students of the power of partnership. They provide financial and artistic support , including master classes, organizational advice, guest conducting and more. 

Boston Symphony Orchestra Days in the Arts (DARTS) program is a summer residential program near Tanglewood that provides middle school students with a high-quality arts immersion experience, allowing each student to engage with and create art with their peers in a positive, non-judgmental environment. Each year, 13 Worcester Public Schools students in grades 6 or 7 take part in this amazing experience.

Mechanics Hall is the premier event venue and concert hall in Central Massachusetts. Renowned for its elegance and sound qualities, the Hall’s cultural significance, its stunning décor and architectural detail have earned it a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts  is a 2,300 seat theatre that draws over 197,000 patrons annually with world-class performances and headlining acts including Broadway hits.

Worcester Youth Orchestras (WYO) was founded in 1947 and has maintained a presence in Central Massachusetts for more than 60 years offering musical training, orchestral experiences and fostering life long friendships for aspiring young musicians.

Music Worcester perpetuates the legacy of the historic Worcester Music Festival, the nation’s oldest festival, by enriching the cultural life of Central Massachusetts and its surrounding areas.

The Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) is a public-private partnership established in 1999 between the City of Worcester and twelve cultural organizations. Today membership stands at 75 organizations, accounting for more than 2.7 million visitors to Worcester in calendar 2015, up from 1.5 million in 2006. Its mission is to draw on Worcester’s rich and diverse cultural assets to foster economic revitalization, support active, creative engagement for all and promote a strong cultural identity for Greater Worcester.

Crocodile River Music brings African music, art, and dance to New England and beyond through residencies, performances and outreach events.

Beyond School time opportunities for students

The Hanover Theatre Conservatory School offers acting, dance, technical theater and music classes to children and adults.

The Joy of Music Community Music School  offers private music lessons, ensembles and classes taught by an outstanding faculty dedicated to the art of teaching.  Children, teens and adults at all levels of ability experience a musical community that is supportive, non-competitive and inspiring.

The Pakachoag Music School offers private lessons, a comprehensive Student Performance Program, early childhood Music Together classes, theater for younger folk (close to the Quinsigammond Village neighborhood), and other group classes. They’re committed to challenging and supporting students in achieving success, on and off-stage.

Worcester Children’s Chorus offers students in Grades 3-12 an enriching and professional-level musical and social education through choral singing with performance opportunities throughout the year.