Bringing music to the schools.

discover music

Discover Music is an educational outreach program where Reno Phil musicians travel to Washoe County and regional elementary schools to perform assemblies tailored to the ages and specifications of each school. These are designed to give students a close-up look at symphonic music through performances, demos and fun participatory activities.

The Reno Phil offers Discover Music performances to elementary schools and home-school groups . Use the link below to put in a request for us to visit your school! Assemblies can be scheduled as far in advance as works for your school. Performances may also be available for middle schools, high schools, and senior communities, or as educational components of community events.

Cancellation Policy

We are committed to providing high-quality educational performances free of charge to schools through our ensemble program. However, our ability to keep this program accessible is made possible by careful management of limited funding and resources.

Cancellations within 15 Days of the Event:

  • If a school cancels the scheduled ensemble performance within 15 days of the event date, the school will be required to cover the full cost of the performance.

  • This policy is necessary because preparations, including musicians' time and resources, are already committed well in advance. By covering these costs, we can ensure that the program continues to remain free for all schools.

  • Cancellations made more than 15 days in advance will not incur any costs, allowing us the opportunity to reschedule or redirect resources.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us sustain this program for future participants.


2023-2024 Discover Music Ensembles

  • Discover Brass - Available as a duet or quintet, these players bring a playful side to exploring how the instruments of the brass family produce sound. Students will enjoy hearing familiar tunes and connecting them with the instruments that create those powerful sounds. 

  • Discover Winds - Available as a quintet, students are introduced to members of the woodwind family through music from the classical period of Mozart to contemporary works of composers and arrangers of many varied styles and traditions. 

  • Discover Strings - Available as a quartet, students can explore various topics ranging from Irish dance music to Classical music, with tie-ins to history, geography, math, and language. 

  • Discover Double Reed - Available as a duet, students are introduced the the double reed family in the woodwinds consisting of the Oboe, Bassoon, and English Horn. Students are introduced to the history of some of the oldest woodwind instruments, their use in the modern era, and how double reeds work and are made.

  • Discover Harp - Available as a solo, students get to journey through the history of the harp, how it produces sound, and what makes it sound so magical.

  • Discover Tango - Available as a trio, students get an up-close look at violins, viola and cello, used in the symphony and South American dance music. Learn how music like the Cuban habanera, the Argentine milonga, and the Uruguayan candombe have morphed into what the tango is today. 

  • Discover Jazz - Available as a trio, students are introduced to the American artform of Jazz music. Placing Jazz music within its historical context, students learn about Ragtime, Dixieland Jazz, Blues, Swing, scatting, and more from a singer, pianist, and bassist.

How are we doing?

Feedback from participating groups is vital to the ongoing assessment of our education programs. If one of our groups comes to visit you, please fill out a Discover Music evaluation form afterwards.