A cornerstone of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ’ s music education programs , OrchKids is a year-round , during and after school , music program designed to create social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City .

Power of Partnerships For the past two years , OrchKids has continued its commitment to serve the whole student and their families through a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work . With generous funding from PNC , the partnership has provided members of our community unique and convenient access to licensed social workers .

As part of the program , OrchKids was able to supply Resource Guides for the neighborhoods that it serves , providing everything from guidance on food and clothing insecurity to an eviction prevent program through the University of Maryland School of Law .

The School of Social Work interns also created individual projects with the students , such as a video to celebrate immigrant families . By collecting information and content from the families , the project provided the opportunity for families to be seen and heard — to feel like part of a community — during a time that the students couldn ’ t be together .

The staff of OrchKids is known for their complete dedication to the students and their families . This vital partnership allows the organization to have a strategic and sustainable view , allowing everyone to use their area of expertise to best serve the students and the community .

Welcoming a New School ! This school year , OrchKids expands to Clay Hill Public Charter School ( CHPCS ), a new charter school in East Baltimore . A partner school to the OrchKids site Patterson Park Public Charter School , CHPCS opens this fall with the mission to empower the school community through a whole-child approach in a diverse , community-centered learning environment .

At CHPCS , OrchKids will provide musicianship classes for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade .