TwiRegistration is now open for the Worcester UNITES after-school music program, which is held for grades 4-8 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-5:00 PM from January 10-April 11, 2024, at Burncoat Middle School, 135 Burncoat Street.
Worcester UNITES (which stands for Unifying New Instrumentalists Through El Sistema) is for students who play musical instruments. They are split by ensemble to work with high school coaches and mentors – working in large and small groups or sectionals.
The program is free for students enrolled in Worcester Public Schools’ elementary or middle school instrumental music program or who have studied an instrument for at least one year.
Each ensemble is limited to 50 students.
The musical groups include the Citywide Band and Citywide Orchestra.
The program ends with a concert on the last day of the season to showcase the students’ work and dedication.
Worcester UNITES was the dream of Burncoat High School Music Magnet student Elisander Rivera-Sanchez. For his senior year capstone project, Eli created an after-school program for beginning instrumental players mentored and led by students in the Music Magnet program. The Worcester UNITES program is based on the El Sistema model made famous in Venezuela by Dr. Jose’ Antonio Abreu.