Classroom Music Education

Each week in the 2024-25 school year, Cantare’s teaching artists provide 95 music lessons to Oakland Unified School District children from transitional kindergarten through 6th grade at Cleveland, EnCompass Academy, Franklin, Greenleaf, La Escuelita, Laurel, Lincoln, Melrose Leadership Academy, and Piedmont Ave. Elementary Schools.

Our in-school programs offer comprehensive music education, including recruiting, training, and supporting teaching artists; developing age-appropriate curriculum; providing necessary materials; tracking student progress; integrating music seamlessly into the school day; and fostering a sense of community through concerts and interactive performances.

Students develop music literacy and build confidence through singing, moving, and playing instruments.

Cantare offers a safe, consistent, and fun experience for students. The longevity of our youth programming—more than 20 years now—has allowed us to build bonds of trust and understanding with the families, schools, and neighborhoods we serve. We have ongoing partnerships with many of our schools.

We fill a void in public school education, providing students with no-cost, year-round musical instruction for an age group not served by the district.

Our in-school programs include:

Program administration: hiring, training, and mentoring teaching artists
Sequential, age-appropriate curriculum
Teaching materials and supplies

Student progress assessment
Active partnership: music class is an integral part of the school day
Concerts and music class demonstration/sing-alongs for school community

“We work with many partners at Cleveland, but Cantare more than anyone else so directly supports our school values of inclusiveness and responsibility, folding directly into the work we are already doing and supporting it in another dimension that we would not be able to support without Cantare!”

– Peter Van Tassel, Cleveland Elementary Principal

Curriculum

Our curriculum includes:

Singing
Creative movement
Ear training
Music literacy
Instruments
Social and cultural studies

Cantare programs complement the National Core Arts Standards. Our school partners report that this experiential musical making enhances students’ fundamental musical skills, social and cultural appreciation, language development, and social-emotional learning.

Bring the benefits and joy of music education to your school. We welcome new school partners.

Become a Partner

See the Children’s Music Education Program in Action!

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS

Cantare’s interdisciplinary programs are a response to OUSD’s initiative to create joyful learning environments through arts integration. Students’ interest in music and performing arts is harnessed to reinforce learning objectives targeted in Social Science, Humanities, and Language Arts.

Cantare’s original curriculum is created in collaboration with OUSD teachers to have social-emotional learning at its core. It is aligned with California History–Social Science Standards. We cultivate a sense of belonging by including music that reflects and celebrates cultural assets of the Oakland community. Through the culminating performance, students hone in their confidence and poise on stage in school assemblies.