Corporate Giving: Kids’ Orchestra

Kids’ Orchestra of Baton Rouge, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, offers group instrumental instruction, instruments and performance opportunities to students in kindergarten through fifth grade from public, private and charter elementary schools across East Baton Rouge Parish.  

This El Sistema based after-school music program for elementary-age students provides the opportunity to study and play an instrument as an orchestra. The program also includes tutoring, homework help, transportation and a healthy snack.

Kids’ Orchestra’s mission is to bring children of all cultures and backgrounds together using music education as a vehicle to foster teamwork, develop understanding, and emphasize excellence

Kids’ Orchestra was founded in 2010, and the after-school program was inaugurated in the 2011-2012 school year with less than 50 students in two schools. In its second year, Kids’ Orchestra expanded to eight schools at three different sites. The demand and need for this program in the community has fostered Kids’ Orchestra’s tremendous growth: during the 2013-2014 school year, 500 students from 16 public, private, and charter schools participated in the program.

The after-school program continues to expand, serving 800 students at 24 schools while employing 70 teachers in the 2014-2015 school year. Participating students in kindergarten through fifth grade meet twice a week for ninety minutes for homework help, a healthy snack, and music classes. Students meet once a month for all-orchestra rehearsals in preparation for an end-of-semester concert. This year, we have about 100 students on a waiting list. It is the only music-based program in the region geared toward K-5 education.

New to the 2014-2015 school year is the Kids’ Orchestra Kids’ Choir. Under the direction of Sarah Bartolome, professor of Music Education at LSU, the Kids’ Choir will meet after-school on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Christian Life Academy and monthly for weekend rehearsals with Kids’ Orchestra instrumental students. The Kids’ Choir is open to all K-5th grade students in the Baton Rouge area.

If you would like to help or to learn more about Kids’ Orchestra, please contact:

Jody Hanet, Executive Director
Phone Number: 225.922.4656
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.KidsOrchestra.org