Welcome!
Announcing:
Expansion of the Chang Scholarship Strings Tutoring Program
The Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association (DSOMA)—a volunteer, non-profit corporation— celebrates, promotes, and supports a vision of a comprehensive musical education that is accessible by all students in the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) (501(c)(3), tax id #20-2559539).
DSOMA’s mission is to increase access to, and support of, musical education in the Davis Joint Unified School District, and to foster community support for, appreciation of, and participation in orchestral music.
The goals of DSOMA are:
*To support and advocate for every child interested in playing strings or participating in orchestra regardless of income.
*To provide music education opportunities across DJUSD, through activities such our annual Celebration of Music Festival, Elementary Outreach and Strings Workshop, school-site mentoring, scholarships, grants, and in-kind support.
*To provide all interested school orchestra and strings programs with support for field trips, performances, teacher supplies, and the purchase, maintenance, and repair of instruments.
*To advocate for programs and funding to strengthen orchestral music education across DJUSD.
We are a 100% volunteer organization. Please join us by volunteering, donating, and participating in our fundrasing events. Thank you for your support and advocacy.
DSOMA - Recent News - January 2021
Bridging the Gap with Free Strings Tutoring Scholarships
Amidst the pandemic and our inability to hold in-person classes or concerts, the Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association (DSOMA) expanded their tutoring program this year with support from the Robert and Yinette Chang Family Fund and general funds. This expanded program was initiated at the start of the school year to provide one-on-one instruction and social interaction for strings and orchestra students across the District. Free tutoring has been offered to students from 4th to 8th grade. To date, we have received a total of 90 student (tutee) applications through our website: www.dsoma.org.
Chang Family Funds currently support scholarships for 29 DJUSD student tutors from 9th to 12th grade and four college-level alumni. In addition, we expanded the program with DSOMA general funds to hire seven professional tutors. Student tutors were matched with younger tutees and professional tutors with older tutees. In particular, these older tutees are students in 8th and 9th grade interested in honing their skills before auditioning for high school programs or local youth orchestras. A total of 19 DJUSD students are benefitting from exceptional local professional talent, including a member of the first violin section of the Sacramento Philharmonic, a member of the viola section of the Stockton Symphony, and Principals of other Northern California semi-professional orchestras.
So far, we have matched 73 students with 40 tutors! We started by prioritizing students in 5th grade and higher, but have now included 4th grade students as well. Students and tutors have let us know how much this program has meant to them, with many saying they wouldn’t have continued in music without this program or that it has been a bright spot in a challenging year. Similarly, the tutors have really valued connecting with students and had a chance to play with others even in this more limited environment. Even at a distance, we’re seeing the power of music to bring people together, keep them connected and bring joy.
Emails from parents of student tutees:
“Thank you for providing this very important program. I don't think our child would continue to play during this time of COVID without it.”
“We are so pleased with our instructor and our son really enjoys the lessons.”
“Our daughter has been really excited for her instrument tutoring time and is very thankful.”
“My daughter looks forward to meeting with her tutor every week!”
“Thank you guys so much for offering this opportunity to learn from someone who can share a lot of musical experiences with her.”
As of February 1st we will have disbursed over $11,000 in tutoring support funds. We still have 17 students on our waitlist, particularly those in need of viola instruction. Thus more tutors are always welcome!!
DSOMAs ability to offer free one-on-one virtual tutoring support during the pandemic is only possible because of the generosity of our parents and community members. We are not actively fundraising this year because we know parents are experiencing economic and personal hardships, and the goal of DSOMAs tutoring program is to give back to our community during this stressful time. However, instrument and cash donations are always welcome, and you can “passively” support the Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association through Amazon Smile or Nugget Scrip.
Many thanks to all our tutors and especially to Christyann Darwent and Greg Brucker for overseeing this program and their significant work, support and enthusiasm that makes this all possible!
The Next DSOMA Meeting for 2020-21 is Monday, February 1st.
DSOMA Monthly Public Board Meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month for the 2020-21 school year. The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 1st at 7:30 pm via Zoom. The agenda will be posted prior to the meeting.
If you would like to receive a Zoom link to attend the meeting, please email president@dsoma.org with the subject line: "DSOMA Zoom Meeting"
Older News Stories
Elementary Music Sign-Ups are This Week!
Announcing
Expansion of the Chang Scholarship Tutoring Program
To support elementary and junior high strings student growth, development, performance, and engagement during the 2020-21 School Year, the Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association (DSOMA) is excited to announce an expansion of the Robert and Yinette Chang Family Strings Tutoring Scholarship Program.
For more information or assistance, contact: Chang Scholarship Program Coordinator at changscholarship@dsoma.org.
DSOMA is Sponsored and Supported
by many great local community organizations and businesses
**** The Celebration of Music Has Been Cancelled for 2020 and 2021***
Due to recommendations from the Yolo County Health Department, a ban of group gatherings by UC Davis, and health concerns about spread of Covid-19, DSOMA has cancelled "A Celebration of Music at the Mondavi Center" on Sunday, March 15, 2020. As well, we will not be holding "A Celebration of Music" in 2021. We look very forward to seeing you at the Mondavi on Sunday, March 13th, 2022.
A Celebration of Music
At The Mondavi!
Our Annual Concert at the Mondavi Center provides an opportunity for musicians from Davis public schools to showcase their musical achievement to our community with a performance at the world-class Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis. Proceeds from the concert go to the Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association, which supports the activities and outreach efforts of the orchestral program as well as purchase and maintenance of instruments used by students district-wide.
This year's concert on March 15th featured the Emerson-Da Vinci-Harper Jr. High Orchestras (7th-9th grade students) conducted by Greg Brucker, the Emerson-Da Vinci-Harper and Holmes Jr. High Choir (7th-9th grade students) conducted by Arielle Deem, the Elementary All City Strings Orchestra (6th grade students) conducted by Lydia Cooley, the Davis Young Artists Chamber Ensemble, conducted by William Barbini with guest performances by the Chamber Music Students of Susan Lamb Cook.
Music Boosters Donate Funds To Purchase 47 New School Instruments
Big Day of Giving
