The mission of Chamber Music West's School Program is to advance music education in appreciation of chamber music.

To accomplish that mission CMW, since 1984, has presented each of its six series chamber music artist(s) in two educational programs each, at schools through the valley.

Schools are offered either a 45 minute Lecture/Demo/Q&A program or a master class for more advanced music students. Programs are scheduled and planned with fine arts departments, principals or music instructors. After discussion with the school personnel, information is relayed to the artists so the current material being studied may be enforced/enhanced and tailored to the age and musical experience of the students. The goal is to enrich the school's curriculum for general music classes or performing ensembles. These School Programs are funded by sponsorships, individual contributions and grants and are presented at no cost to the schools.

The School Programs support educational goals and standards set forth by the State of Arizona for fine arts curricula in accordance with state standards: to give students the experience of hearing and seeing live professional performers of classical chamber ensembles; to experience a formal concert structure in an acoustically sound auditorium; to learn the etiquette of a classical music audience; to observe the concept of ensemble; to question the performers after the presentation on any number of issues (i.e., how do they rehearse, how do they settle issues of difference regarding a piece or sections, etc.); to observe the form and context of the music, the composers and the musicians. These goals can be generalized for most of the programs except the master classes which CMW provides only to older students. Through CMW's School Program long-term partnerships with schools we hope to augment the music curriculum for participating students as they move through the grades, increasing their music knowledge.

A week or so prior to the previously scheduled program day, the committee contacts the principal or instructor to finalize details as to setup of the venue, microphone, chairs, music stands, curricula to emphasize, etc. At that time the instructors are referred to the artists and/or manager's website for instructional materials such as artist biographies and reviews from performances to use to prepare the students for the program. The instructors may visit the website themselves for these materials or assign to a student as a project.

On the day of the program, a basic introduction is made by a School Program Committee member to express thanks to CMW sponsors and underwriters and then may be turned over to a student to introduce the artists.

Evaluation questionnaires are completed by the instructor and also by the committee members who accompany the artists to the schools. The evaluations are used to improve the programs and decide which schools to return to in future seasons. CMW is always invited back!

Long-term school program partners include Nadaburg Elementary School District #81, Morristown School District #75 and Wittman Elementary School. Various schools from Peoria Unified School District #11, such as Sunrise Mountain High School, have also been recipients of CMW School Programs on an on-going basis. New partners are added on an annual basis.

CMW offers reduced rates to concerts for music instructors; free tickets for students of any age holding a valid student ID; and student ushering possibilities to fulfill volunteer requirements - dress: black slacks/white shirt.