School Partnership Frequently Asked Questions
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Does my school qualify for an Ensemble Connect School Partnership?
In order to qualify for an Ensemble Connect School Partnership, please ensure that your answer is yes to the following questions:
- Are you a New York City public school?
- Do you have an instrumental music program that serves students in grades 3 or higher and has been in place for at least two years?
- Do you have an instrumental music specialist in the building at least three full days per week?
- Are you able to allocate $1,500 from your DOE budget for the program fee each year or raise the money otherwise?
- Do you have an arts-invested school administration?
- Can your instrumental music specialist attend four required professional development sessions per year on Mondays from 4:30–6:30 PM?
When are applications due?
Applications are currently closed. Applications for the 2025–2027 cycle will be available in fall 2024 and will be due in May of 2025.
What happens after the application is submitted?
Within two weeks of receiving your application, Ensemble Connect’s team will contact the school’s instrumental music specialist. If your school meets the criteria, a site visit will be scheduled. The site visit will include two class or ensemble observations and a meeting with the prospective partner music specialist and principal.
How much does it cost?
The fee is $1,500 each year by purchase order or check.
How long does a school have to stay in the program?
The Ensemble Connect partnership is a two-year commitment.
What do Ensemble Connect fellows do in the schools?
Each Ensemble Connect fellow spends 25 days of the school year from October through May in a residency that focuses on student-centered musical-skill building through interactive performance units and concerts as well as creative approaches to skill-based work.
Working in collaboration with your instrumental music teacher, the Ensemble Connect fellow will help plan instructional units that complement your existing music program through the application of creative approaches to skills-based work. Fellow-led activities may focus on composition, reflection, active listening, or improvisation, and take place during regular classroom time. Ensemble Connect fellows may also serve as coaches, working with full ensembles or with small groups, and models on their instruments to help students improve their instrumental skills. Your fellow will also join with their Ensemble Connect colleagues to bring two interactive performances to your school each year, actively engaging up to 150 students per performance.
Are Ensemble Connect fellows student teachers?
No. Ensemble Connect fellows are professional instrumentalists who have been selected to participate in Ensemble Connect because of their high level of artistry and passion for engaging with students and their community through their art.
Are Ensemble Connect fellows certified teachers?
No. Ensemble Connect fellows are not certified teachers.
Do teachers in participating schools receive professional development?
Yes. Teacher/Fellow Partnership Workshops are held four times a year and are mandatory.
What other benefits do schools receive?
Ensemble Connect partner schools have a $500 stipend to use towards materials for the music classroom, free tickets to concerts at Carnegie Hall and performances by Ensemble Connect, and ongoing support from Ensemble Connect staff.