The Mission
Classical music plus low-income children
After 34 successful years, the Saturday Conservatory of Music was in trouble. The Conservatory provides inexpensive music lessons to children, in contrast to regular high-cost music schools. Until 2000 it was housed at California State University, Los Angeles but did not receive funding or faculty from the school.
The program moved off-campus during a remodeling of the Music Department, but when they returned, Cal State L.A. had new plans for them. The University wanted to hike their traditionally reasonable tuition fees from $65.25 a semester to $650.25, and then divvy up the money three ways.
“The entire notion of upping the price so high completely undermined our mission to teach music to low-income youth. So we said, ‘Fine, we’re not coming back,” says Project Leader Mickey Fruchter. Rather than become a university money maker on the backs of low-income parents, he thought about closing down. “That’s when Community Partners came to our rescue. We just wanted to do what we do well, and they let us,” says Mickey.
With no interest in starting their own separate nonprofit, becoming an Incubator Project at Community Partners was the perfect remedy. Now the Conservatory continues its services from a church in Pasadena, instructing youth in music theory, woodwinds, brass, piano, choir and orchestra. Young people from elementary through high school come from as far away as Alhambra and San Bernardino to learn from a faculty of music masters.
Community Partners came to our rescue. We just wanted to do what we do well, and they let us.
— Mickey Fruchter, Saturday Conservatory of Music
The Saturday Conservatory of Music continues to give low-income young musicians access to high-quality instruction because of Community Partners.
SOURCE: Community Partners 2005-2006 Biennial Report
PROJECT STATUS: The Saturday Conservatory of Music has been a project of Community Partners since 2001, and continues to inspire low-income young musicians throughout the Los Angeles area.