Education
Eastman Community Music School offers music lessons, ensembles, classes, and workshops to community members of all ages and backgrounds. From pre-school and early childhood programs to college prep and diploma programs to adult ensembles and classes, ECMS nurtures and inspires music students at all levels.150 teachers serve approximately 1,500 community members during the school year and hundreds more each summer.
Eastman Pathways provides scholarships for dedicated and talented Rochester City School District students to pursue music at the Eastman Community Music School.
Since the program’s inception in 1997, its student population has reflected Rochester’s rich cultural diversity: students from underrepresented communities account for over half of the graduating classes.
93% of Pathways graduates have gone on to attend college, including Eastman, University of Rochester, Harvard, MIT, Columbia, the University of Miami, SUNY Fredonia, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard.
ROCmusic is a partnership of the Hochstein School of Music and Dance, the Eastman School of Music and Community Music School, the City of Rochester, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gateways Music Festival, and the Rochester City School District. It provides exceptional music education and performance experiences for youth living in the City of Rochester in their own neighborhoods. No previous musical experience or training is required and there is no charge for instruments, participation, or instruction. Each student in the program receives full scholarships for instruction, all necessary books and materials, music classes, ensemble rehearsals, and concert participation, and activities.
Of the many programs offered through ROCmusic, Herb’s City Trumpets (Herb Smith of the RPO), provides a mentorship program for young black men, 12 to 18 years old, through the expression of music.
Urban Strings is a partnership between the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester City School District providing private or small group lessons to string students in grades three through seven at Enrico Fermi School No. 17.
New Horizons provides entry points to music making for adults, especially seniors. Inclusive for all, including those with no musical experience at all, experienced musicians, and those who have been inactive for years. The program has 12 ensembles reaching 600 adults.