On time, every time, with all of your stuff!
Welcome
Free Music School
A free instrumental music program for students in grades 4-12.
Fall session starts on Aug 21st -- register today!
Free Music School Fall 2026
Because every child deserves the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument.
All San Jose, CA area students in grades 4-12 are invited to join us to learn how to play a musical instrument. The lessons are free and students can borrow an instrument free-of-charge from our program The price of admission is commitment: Students must attend on time every week, with all of their supplies in order to participate.
Our Annual program orientation/ information and registration session will be on Friday, August 21st at 4pm. You can pre-register here:
All students and caregivers must attend the orientation to participate.
The instruments we teach are: Recorder (beginners), Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone or Trombone (students choose one instrument to play.) Advanced students can bring oboe, bassoon, tuba, etc.
WE DO NOT TEACH GUITAR, DRUMS, VIOLIN OR PIANO.
We meet every Friday afternoon at
Growing Hope United Methodist Church
Formerly :Almaden Hills United Methodist Church, San Jose
1200 Blossom Hill Road (by Costco/Whole Foods)
In addition to beginning lessons , we offer Intermediate/Advanced band for students who already play an instrument proficiently and would like to join us for extra fun group practice time.
ALL students must attend at 4pm on August 21st for the registration/information session, after that
Here is our schedule for group lessons on Fridays:
Beginning grades 4-6: 4-4:30pm
Beginning grades 7-12: 4:30-5pm
Intermediate : 5-5:30 pm
Advanced: 5:30-6pm
Does your student have previous musical experience? We will place most (4th-6th grade only) new students in the beginning classes and make adjustments within the first few weeks if their skill level is consistent with the advanced levels. We prefer to move students up in levels, not down, so please be patient with our placements.
Please review our rules/requirements for our program and make sure that your student is willing and able to follow these expectations before signing up.
Common Questions:
What is Free Music School?
What is Free Music School?
What is Free Music School?
We are a group of volunteer "Music Mentors" who meet once a week, on Friday afternoons, to teach students in grades 4-12 how to read music and play a musical instrument. 4th-6th grade beginning students will learn the basics of music playing a recorder (fall session only -- they'll switch to band instruments in the spring.)
Once they master the basics they will be eligible to play a traditional band instrument. Older students will not start on recorder but will begin with the wind instrument they choose.
Please see our Program Details page for more information.
Please note: we do not offer classes on drums, guitar, violin, or piano.
Class Schedule
What is Free Music School?
What is Free Music School?
If you're early, you're on time!
Here is our Fall Class Schedule:
Beginning 1: 4-4:30 pm
Beginning 2: 4:30 - 5pm
Intermediate : 5-5:30 pm
Advanced (requires pre-approval from instructor): 5:30-6pm.
Most 4th-6th grade students will start in our Beginning 4-4:30 class.
7th-12th grade beginners will be in our "Beginning 2" class from 4:30-5 and start directly on band instruments.
Jr. High and High school musicians who already play will join our intermediate 2 or Advanced Band classes.
Pre-register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrbaoPJcdNMC08N9AklcTelevK-eaC0NxMfvlB1IuRvfuuAA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107252891088191525335
Is it really Free?
What is Free Music School?
How to join our program:
Yes! Our group lessons are provided free of charge. We do not collect or charge any participation or performance fees -- we NEVER ask for or collect money at FreeMusicSchool. Really.
But, we ask parents to provide a portable music stand ($20), instruction book ($10) and reeds/oil for their student's instrument. Please let us know if you truly need help with these items.
We like to say: The price of admission is commitment! On time, every time, with all of your supplies.
How to join our program:
How to join our program:
How to join our program:
Attend the welcome session on Friday, August 21st at 4pm at Growing Hope UMC. If your student meets the criteria (is in grade 4-12) they will be accepted into the program. Please do not register students who are younger than 4th grade into our program.
Pre-Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrbaoPJcdNMC08N9AklcTelevK-eaC0NxMfvlB1IuRvfuuAA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107252891088191525335
If your student already knows how to read music and plays a band instrument, please contact us about joining one of our intermediate or advanced classes. We accept new advanced players throughout the year. freemusicschoool@yahoo.com
or, just register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrbaoPJcdNMC08N9AklcTelevK-eaC0NxMfvlB1IuRvfuuAA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107252891088191525335
Who are the teachers?
How to join our program:
Who are the teachers?
Free Music School is a group of volunteer "music mentors" who get together once a week to teach students how to play musical instruments. It was started in January of 2007 by Candace Love -- a Growing Hope Church member, parent and life-long musician.
"Someone introduced me to music when I was young, and I want to offer that to every student I can. Everyone should volunteer and share their gifts -- for me, that gift is music. It is my community service, and watching students grow to love music, too, fills me with joy."
Interested in volunteering as a "Music Mentor" with our program? New musicians are always welcome to join us, especially college students and retirees! For more information please contact Candace Love: freemusicschool@yahoo.com
Please note that all volunteers will need to have a background check in order to work with our students.
Do you have concerts
How to join our program:
Who are the teachers?
Yes!
We have 2 concerts each year: one in December and one in May. All students will be expected to attend and perform at these wonderful events, and families and friends will also be invited to come and watch. It's free!
Stay tuned for concert dates -- I will try and publish them in October.
Supplies needed (after first 2 sessions):
All Students:
You do not need any supplies at the Registration/ Welcome session, but after that, if you decide to join us, All students will need a portable music stand, like this one:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-folding-music-stand/451034000001000
Intermediate Band Book
-- Not needed until after the Orientation/ Welcome session -----Our band students use the "Standards of Excellence" book 1 by B. Pearson. Choose book 1 for your instrument. Note, this is the trumpet example, you need to purchase the one for your instrument!!!
Clarinets and Saxophones need reeds
Clarinets and Saxophones need reeds
Beginning woodwind players will need to purchase size "2" reeds. We recommend the 10-pack for starting on the instrument. Here is a link to what we recommend: https://www.wwbw.com/Rico-Bb-Clarinet-Reeds-Box-of-10-J24847-J24847000002000.wwbw
Ear Training Games
Clarinets and Saxophones need reeds
For our more advanced students, I really enjoy the "ear training" games at this website. You do not have to register to use it. Theta Music Trainer:
https://trainer.thetamusic.com/en/content/music-training-games
Virtual Band Practice
Virtual Band Practice
http://www.virtualbandpractice.com I've created a website with some of the songs we practice in class listed. You can click on the links and play along. This page is also one of the pages of this site. A work in progress.