Tocando After-School Music Project

A program of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Tocando is an after-school program meeting Monday – Thursday 3:30pm – 5:45pm in the annex at Guillen Middle School.  The program is open to all students, especially to those attending schools in the feeder pattern of Bowie High School.

Tocando at Tornillo serves students in grades 2-5 at both the elementary and intermediate schools as both a Specials class and an after-school program.

Tocando uses music education as a vehicle for children to acquire valuable tools of teamwork, self-confidence, leadership, and academic success.

Tocando is made possible, in part, by funding from PlayUSA and the League of American Orchestras and Getty Foundation’s Futures Fund.

Tocando at Tornillo is made possible through the NAMM Foundation, The  Bernstein Family Foundation, El Sistema Greece and the Bonnie and Peter Reagan Fund as well as many donors through the Go Fund Me page “Bring Music to the Children on the US/Mexico Border”.

Tocando's story

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s Tocando Music Project is an after-school program that currently provides music learning and performance opportunities to students in elementary through middle school. Students enjoy weekly classes, bi-monthly visits to the El Paso Museum of Art, UTEP Career Days, out-of-town overnight trips to week-long Summer Music Camps, and tickets to each EPSO Classical Concert for themselves and their families.  Students perform concerts at their home schools as well as various venues throughout the community and city including the Plaza and Chavez Theaters.  Students are invited to participate in the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra under full scholarships.

In January 2020 Tocando expanded to Tornillo, Texas to serve 2nd-5th grade students.  Tornillo students will enjoy all that the Tocando program offers.

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