Orchestral Program

Our tuition free, orchestral training programming serves over 120 students each year across the Raleigh and greater Triangle area. A student’s musical journey with RMC begins in elementary school at one of our 2 Community Hubs. These smaller, instrument specific classes are strategically structured to nurture a beginner strings player and prepare them to enter into our larger orchestras at the Nucleo after 1-2 years in a Community Hub. Our Nucleo is the heart beat of our program. With 4 levels of orchestras and a robust Youth Leadership Program, the hallways are buzzing with students as they arrive for orchestra rehearsals, head to private lessons, serve as a Teaching Assistant, or receive coaching in one of our Quartets in Residence. All students are given a classical foundation using the Bornoff Approach, but throughout their time at RMC, they will explore jazz, roots music, improvisation, and additional styles to deepen their musicianship.

Nucleo

At our Nucleo, students with 1+ year of experience attend in order to deepen and expand their musical training in one of our 4 ensembles: the Overture Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Orchestra, or Camerata Orchestra. As students progress through RMC, they will qualify to apply for scholarships or discounted tuition for group and private lessons, be able to audition for our Quartets in Residence, serve on our Youth Advisory Board, apply to be Teaching Assistants, and participate in instrument choirs.

Each year at our Nucleo, we also offer a limited beginner strings class for brand new middle and high school students to enroll.

In addition to using the Bornoff Pedagogy, students explore traditional orchestral music and get a chance to explore alternative music styles and skills like jazz, hip hop, improvisation, and roots music.

Community Hubs

Each year, we accept new 3rd-5th grade students at one of our two Community Hub locations at Cedar Point Apartment Complex or Peach Road Cultural Center. Classes at Cedar Point are reserved for families who live in the Cedar Point Apartments, have a connection with Refugee Hope Partners OR have refugee status in the greater Triangle area. If you think you qualify, send us a message.

Our second Community Hub is at Peach Road Cultural Center in Partnership with Raleigh Parks and Recreation. Students have 2, hour long classes each week in a violin/viola class or cello class with multiple performing opportunities yearly.

Each student is provided with an instrument, supplies, and a binder that will hold their music. We use the Bornoff Strings Pedagogy and each of our Teaching Artists has received extensive training in this approach.

Three children playing violins while sitting on chairs indoors, with a girl in a pink shirt and two boys, one with a backwards cap and a grey shirt, all focused on their instruments.
Sign Up for Fall 2026/27 Waitlist
A diverse group of young musicians playing string instruments, likely in an orchestra practice, seated in rows with music stands in a well-lit room with large windows.
Young woman with dark hair playing a cello during a group music practice in a room with large windows and natural light.
Young man playing an upright bass during a musical rehearsal or performance in a room with white walls and windows.

  • Sinfonia Orchestra (auditioned): Students with 3-6 years of playing. Students work through the “Bornoff Finger Patterns” and “Patterns in Positions” books, 2 octave scales, and tackling orchestra music grade 2-3.

  • Camerata Orchestra (auditioned): Students with 4-10 years of playing. This auditioned orchestra is made up of middle and high schoolers. Students are expected to participate in group or private lessons in addition to orchestra. Scholarships are available for students. Students will work through grade 3-4 repertoire, 3 octave scales, and advanced playing techniques.

A smiling woman with braided hair wearing a white shirt, sitting in a bright room with other people, including a person with a cello, and a large window in the background.
A woman with braided hair is playing a cello inside a room with a concrete floor, white brick walls, and a large wooden door. She is sitting in front of a music stand, and there is a large green plant on the right side of the image.
Two boys and one girl are playing the violin and smiling in a room with chairs and a decorative wall in the background. The girl is holding the violin, and the boys are sitting next to her.

Nucleo Orchestras

  • Overture Orchestra: students with 0-2 years of playing experience. Students will work through unison pieces, learn/review the “Bornoff Primer” Skills and Finger Patterns as well as “Fun for Fiddle Fingers”. They also will begin to learn how to play in an orchestra and work through orchestra music grade 0.5-1

  • Philharmonic Orchestra: Students with 2-4 years of playing. Students work through the “Bornoff Finger Patterns”, 1-2 octave scales and string skills, as well as deepening their orchestra playing skills through grade 1-2 repertoire. . 

How YOU Can Help!

While a portion of every private lesson payment goes towards funding our group classes, supplies, Squad Saturday scholarships and summer camp scholarships, it does not cover the majority of costs. We are always looking for new champions to help continue to grow the work we do with these children. If you are interested in donating a scholarship for summer camp, or lessons, donating an instrument, or purchasing supplies, please reach out to us at theraleighmusiccollective@gmail.com.