The Endangered Instruments Program (EIP) supports school instrumental music teachers by providing highly trained teaching specialists on less-commonly played instruments.

EIP was founded in 1990 as an in-school program encouraging music students to learn less commonly played instruments. EIP has evolved into an important part of SYSO in the Schools programs that reinforce public school music classes and increase the size, diversity and quality of school band and orchestra programs.

EIP provides school music departments with weekly group instrumental lessons for students in the early stages of learning on the following instruments:

Program Highlights:

• Lessons are part of regularly scheduled school band and orchestra rehearsals.
• Coaches for all programs are drawn from the most highly qualified professional musicians in the Seattle region. Many perform in the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
• Educational services provided by the SYSO-in-the-Schools programs, including EIP, are funded by the Seattle Youth Symphony through generous contributions from individuals, foundations, schools, and government agencies.

The Endangered Instruments Program continues to spread throughout the region with EIP coaches now serving 9 schools in Seattle Public Schools, 12 schools in districts outside of Seattle, and working alongside 29 public school teachers.