Free Summer Music Program by Jenny Lin Foundation for Bay Area Youths

At its 30th anniversary, Jenny Lin Foundation continues to offer a summer program free of charge to young musicians in the Bay Area. Instrumental musicians currently in 8th grade or higher are welcomed to join the String Orchestra or Band; students currently in 7th grade and up may register for the Choir.

Participants meet Mondays, Wednesdays and some Thursdays (6:45-9:00 p.m.) for five weeks starting June 10. Rehearsals take place at Creekside Middle School, Castro Valley, and culminate with a large-scale community concert (co-sponsored by Chabot College) on Saturday, July 13, at Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward.

Based in Castro Valley, the Jenny Lin Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1994 after the brutal murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin. It operates through volunteers and donations with a mission to promote child safety and youth music education. For the many scholarships, music and safety events that the Foundation has sponsored over decades, its founders (also Jenny's parents) were honored in 2022 with the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the most prestigious and longest-standing public service award in the United States.

Through the annual Summer Music Program, Jenny Lin Foundation hopes to carry on Jenny’s passion—music and friendship—and extend her life in a unique fashion. Student-musicians are encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional program to help maintain their skills and to continue performing in a group during the summer. This is also an opportunity for students to meet and interact with peers from throughout the Bay Area, and cultivate and hone their leadership skills. Last summer, about 200 middle and high school musicians participated in the program.

Registration for the 2024 program is now accepted online. Please help spread the word as we look forward to welcoming many more of you this summer.