RPO Recieves City Grant to Expand Music Education for Rochester students
(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) — The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been awarded a $20,000 ArtsBloom grant from the City of Rochester to co-sponsor its Orchestral Program for Urban Students (OPUS), an arts education initiative that gives Rochester students meaningful access to music instruction, mentorship, and live orchestral experiences.
Part of the City of Rochester’s Percent for the Arts Program, the ArtsBloom grant furthers OPUS’ mission to create a continuum of music education enrichment in partnership with local schools and community organizations including four RCSD buildings, ROCmusic, EnCompass, Eastman Community Music School’s Pathways Program, and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. OPUS engagements provide the inspiration and resources for students to get involved and stay involved in music. Through guest artist visits, one-on-one mentorship, masterclasses, side-by-side performances, and more, students have deep access to their hometown orchestra across over 60 engagements annually.
“Music education changes lives,” said Bryce Davis, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. “Our OPUS partners have shared incredible stories about what the RPO means to their students, their families, their entire program. We are immensely grateful to the City for continuing to invest in programs such as ours that ensure that all Rochesterians have the opportunity to engage with the arts.”
The ArtsBloom award recognizes the important role arts organizations play in enriching the community and expanding educational opportunities for young people. By removing barriers to high-quality music experiences, OPUS helps inspire the next generation of musicians, audiences, and community leaders. This is the second ArtsBloom award to the RPO – the first was in 2023, the first year of both ArtsBloom and OPUS programming.
The City of Rochester awarded $150,000 to 12 local artists and arts organizations through the 2026 ArtsBloom program to support projects in arts education, literary arts, performing arts, and visual arts throughout the city.
For more information about the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and its education programs, visit rpo.org/community.
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ABOUT THE RPO
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region as part of our RPO For All initiative sponsored by M&T Bank. Andreas Delfs was named music director in 2021, following notable RPO music directors Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 32nd season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in Pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 30,000 through its specific education programs. The 2026-2027 season is sponsored by Kimbo Coffee, the official coffee of the RPO.
