Melodic Musings
Oakland Symphony Insights
Greetings educators, administrators, and community members of Oakland:
I am so excited to introduce myself as Oakland Symphony's new Director of Education & Social Impact. Oakland Symphony is an organization that aligns with my mission of prioritizing community-building through shared values, joyful experiences, and social impact. In this role, I will be utilizing my past experiences as a certified music teacher and classical musician to oversee all aspects of MUSE (MUSic for Education) programming, community engagement, and activism in the arts.
These monthly newsletters will help you learn more about MUSE activities in Oakland Unified School District, as well as the Symphony's happenings around town. You may also find surveys for educators so that we can continue to work together to create strong student-centered goals around music education for our diverse student populations.
Below, please see information about this year's Hall Pass, an innovative program that provides FREE or reduced-cost tickets to Oakland Symphony concerts at the Paramount for all students, families, faculty, and school staff. As an arts organization that views music as a channel to stir powerful emotions and provoke change around social and cultural issues, we hope you can be part of this important institution of Oakland.
I look forward to the upcoming year and learning more about your work.
Thank you,
Rachel Kim, Ed.D.
Omid Zoufonoun, Youth Orchestra Director
Omid Zoufonoun is a conductor, guitarist, educator, and award-winning composer. His concert commissions aim to blend his Persian musical heritage, learned under the guidance of his father, Ostad Mahmoud Zoufonoun, with western practices of counterpoint, harmony, and orchestration. Recent commissions include a Cello Sonata for the duet Martha & Monica, a guitar octet for the Guitar Foundation of America, a choral setting of four Rumi poems for Pacific Edge Voices, and a four-movement orchestral work for the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. Zoufonoun conducted the premiere of this latter work at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland, and a professional première followed by Oakland Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Michael Morgan. As conductor, Zoufonoun’s recent recording of Bill Horvitz’ suite, A Long Walk, was featured as an Editor’s Pick in Downbeat magazine.
Meghan Hildebrand, Youth Orchestra Manager
Oakland Symphony Education Committee
The Oakland Symphony 2024-25 Education Committee supports the vision of MUSE programming to best serve Oakland youth. It is comprised of Oakland community members with significant depth and breadth of experience in education:
- Diane Lang [Board member, Oakland Symphony]
- Kev Choice [Board member, Oakland Symphony]
- Linda Green
- Angela Wellman
Oakland Symphony is proud to partner with the following schools for the 2024-25 school year:
- Cleveland Elementary
- Franklin Elementary
- Hoover Elementary
- Global Family Elementary
- Bella Vista Elementary
- Melrose Leadership Academy
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
- Manzanita SEED
- Anna Yates Elementary
- Edna Brewer MS
- Claremont MS
- Montera MS
- Roosevelt MS
- West Oakland MS
- Bret Harte MS
- Oakland HS
- Skyline HS
- Oakland Tech HS
- Oakland School for the Arts
- Emery HS
Thank you to our OUSD music teachers and MUSE Teaching Artists for your amazing work!
MUSE Teaching Artist Byron Hogan recently discussed the impact of MUSE programming through the partnership between OUSD and Oakland Symphony MUSE. Listen to his Greater School Voices interview to learn about his experiences working with many of our youth in Oakland schools.
Welcome to the new season at Oakland Symphony with NEW Music Director, Maestro Kedrick Armstrong! 🎉💥Our first concert is on Friday, October 18th at 8pm at the historic Paramount Theatre, located at 2025 Broadway in Downtown Oakland.
We are pleased to continue our Hall Pass program and offer $10 concert tickets for all students and families from OUSD and neighboring districts, as well as teachers, administrators, community school managers, counselors, librarians, custodians, office and attendance clerks, paraprofessionals, tutors, yard duty supervisors, food service workers, nurses, and volunteers. Please use this access code to get your $10 tickets to ANY Oakland Symphony concert:
Discount Code: OUSD102425
If you are a Title I School, we offer FREE concert tickets to all Oakland Symphony concerts for your school community. Please click here or scan the QR code on the flier below to obtain access codes to your complimentary tickets. Email Rachel Kim at rkim@oaklandsymphony.org with any questions.
Hall Pass Program for Community Organizations
Oakland Symphony offers complimentary concert tickets to community organizations that serve low income residents and historically marginalized groups. Please click here or scan the QR code on 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 Rachel Kim at rkim@oaklandsymphony.org if you would like to plan a "Symphony Night" for your organization.
Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter! We are excited to partner with you and make this school year successful and enriching for all students. 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, Oakland Symphony
Direct: (510) 274-6364 ext. 314