Sound Explorers
Sound Explorers is an adaptive beginning concert band for middle and high school students. Open to 6th-12th graders with a developmental disability, the structure of this group allows musicians to progress at their own pace with a one-on-one instructor while experiencing the cognitive benefits of music training and the emotional benefits of collective music-making. Sound Explorers can provide a beneficial scaffolding and confidence-building experience for students already enrolled in another middle or high school band, or it can serve as the primary ensemble and means of band instruction for the student.
Musicians will be paired with a Mizzou School of Music collegiate band student who will serve as their partner teacher throughout the year. Each weekly session will begin with a private 30-minute lesson with the partner teacher. The last 30 minutes will be a group rehearsal where musicians will continue making music with their peers alongside their partner teacher. All music for the end-of-semester informal performances will be adapted to meet each musician's individual skill level. Instruments offered are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion (snare and bell kit). Other instruments can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Musicians will have a chance to try out instruments at the first session.
Sessions take place on Sundays from 4-5 PM at the Sinquefield Music Center (1101 University Avenue) on the Mizzou campus. Free parking is available in lot WC-6 on the north side of the building or in Hitt Street Garage.
Fall 2026
- September 27 - Session #1: Instrument try-out and parent meeting/building tour
- October 4 - No session
- October 11 - Session #2
- October 18 - Session #3
- October 25 - Session #4
- November 1 - Session #5
- November 8 - Session #6
- November 15 - Session #7
- November 22 & 29 - Thanksgiving Break
- December 6 - Session #8 with informal performance for families
Spring 2027
- February 21 - Session #9
- February 28 - Session #10
- March 7 - Session #11
- March 14 - Session #12
- March 21 - Session #13
- March 28 - Spring Break
- April 4 - Spring Break
- April 11 - Session #14
- April 18 - Session #15 with final performance for families
- April 25, 3 PM - Optional: Attend Mizzou Symphonic Band concert
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
Please note that capacity is limited, but you will be added to the waitlist if we are unable to offer a position this fall.
New Student Registration Fee for 2026-2027: $55 (paid after acceptance into the program). This fee covers a t-shirt, music stand, and method book for each musician. This fee is non-refundable.
Tuition for 2026-2027: Fall Semester - $170; Spring Semester - $150
Financial assistance available.
Instrument: If you do not already have access to an instrument, several local music stores offer rental programs: Morrison Music, Palen Music, and the Music Suite. However, you may rent or buy an instrument from whomever you choose. You will have the opportunity to indicate on your application if financial assistance is needed in covering the cost of an instrument rental.
Method books and music stands will be purchased by Sound Explorers and distributed to musicians. Musicians will be expected to bring their instrument and method book to each session after the instrument try-out night.
Funding for this program is provided by the Higday Mozart Trust.
Brooke Danielsen
Coordinator of Large Ensembles
Sound Explorers Facilitator
communitymusic@missouri.edu