The Endangered Instruments Program (EIP) was founded in 1990 as an in school program encouraging music students to learn less commonly played instruments. EIP has evolved into SYSO in the Schools, a comprehensive program that reinforces public school music education programs. SYSO in the Schools currently works with over 10 public schools. Programs modeled after SYSO in the Schools have been started in New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Vancouver BC and Australia.

SYSO in the Schools works by providing professional musicians to public schools for free. These musicians teach group lessons on a weekly basis, monitoring students’ progress and working closely with their teachers. In 2005, we began expanding the program by targeting schools with large numbers of minority and low-income students.

SYSO in the Schools works to achieve three goals:
• To encourage students to learn less-commonly played instruments like
the oboe, bassoon, French horn, viola, and double bass.
• To increase the size of public school music programs, so the school
district will fund classes for different ability levels
• To increase the number of low-income and minority youth who
participate in school music programs.