The Stockton Symphony’s Magic of Music program is a highly effective music education initiative for children throughout San Joaquin County. Known affectionately as MOM, Magic of Music brings joy, discipline, and teamwork through live performances by small chamber ensembles at schools, after-school programs, and community centers.
Each performance integrates music—from classical favorites to swing, jazz, and rock—into an engaging and educational experience. Students enjoy the music and learn how teamwork, communication, and individual effort are vital to creating something meaningful in music and life. Each year, the program features three unique ensembles—over the years these have included, including a brass quintet with drums, a duo featuring violin and marimba, a trio consisting of violin, bassoon, and oboe, a harp and flute duo, and even a group spotlighting the Japanese Koto.
The series aims to engage students through these performances, allowing musicians to showcase how their small groups collaborate in decision-making and teamwork. MOM is reaching students who have never encountered live chamber music, and the response is enthusiastic and inspiring. Many students express interest in learning an instrument or exploring new styles of music for the first time.
During the visits, musicians showcase their instruments, engage with students in lively Q&A sessions, and illustrate how practice and collaboration foster confidence and success. Like in sports, the magic happens when individuals “work together as a team.”