The Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP or Núcleo Corona) includes three core programs:


Orchestra Program

CYMP currently has 3 orchestras.  Each orchestra will maintain its core membership, as each child grows up to become an adult orchestra with its own identity. Students come from over 15 different schools in Corona (NYC School District #24) and surrounding areas.

“No Frontiers” Children’s Orchestra

The "No Frontiers" Children's Orchestra (NFCO) started in 2014 as CYMP's beginning level orchestral ensemble, that includes only violins, clarinets and trumpets.

Corona Children’s Orchestra

The Corona Children's Orchestra started in 2011 as CYMP's first orchestral ensemble. It has over around 25 students ages 7-15.

Corona Youth Orchestra

The Corona Youth Orchestra started in 2013 as an offshoot of the Corona Children's Orchestra. It has over around 25 students ages 12-18.

Orchestral Initiation Program

The Orchestral Initiation program (also called "PreOrchestra") is a tuition-free sequence of ensembles that train very young students -ages four to six- to be a functional part of a collaborating music ensemble. It prepares students to join a real symphony orchestra.


The program starts with basic rhythm ensembles, using simple percussion instruments, and through the school year it will progress to recorder orchestra, and to a "paper orchestra", in which students and their families build real size cardboard string instruments to learn in depth basic positions and behaviors in preparation to start to learn a real instrument in the orchestra. The program helps develop social and motor skills, as well as basic musicianship to prepare students to undertake a musical instrument within the context of an orchestra. After finishing this program students "graduate" to join a Suzuki-based ensemble class where they continue their music education with a real string instrument, such as violin, viola, cello or bass. There are three orchestral initiation “modules”:


  1. •Orchestra Initiation at Beacon/P.S. 19Q

  2. •C.A.S.A Program at P.S. 110Q, The Tiffany School


Mission
The CYMP strives to promote social inclusion in New York City by empowering youth and children in Corona, Queens to excel through their participation in musical ensembles.


Core Values

Strive.  Pursuing artistic excellence as a habitual practice is a goal on itself.  This immense challenge inspires the young to always strive for the best. Through this process, they can imagine paths for success and happiness that affect personal and professional growth.


Community.  Building a strong community takes positive leadership.  Learning music in an ensemble promotes teamwork,  peer encouragement and mentoring. In keeping strong ties with the community and its organizations, the CYMP aspires to develop valuable leaders for Corona and beyond. 


Joy.  Music making must express a child's genuine happiness and health. As the most important assets in the Corona community, children carry the same joy to their families and community.  Joyful and energetic performance is a result of learning in a fun, safe and loving environment, where children are encouraged to grow to their full potential.


Access.  Extended time-in-program music education in an ensemble must be accessible to all children and youth, no matter their nationality, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, social or economic status.  Access to complementing experiences and training are essential to the mission of the Corona Youth Music Program.



The project includes an after-school programs and intensive seminars and camps.  This “núcleo” will support at least one children’s symphony orchestra and one choir, along with instrumental and musicianship training.


It serves the neighborhood by providing a safe, fun place for children to develop discipline, persistence, and self-esteem through music, and become productive valued members of society.