Volunteer Musicians Needed for Elementary School Literacy Program!

Reading to Kids is looking for seven musicians, bands, dancers, etc. to donate a 15-minute performance at each of our seven partner schools for our 2026 "Music and Entertainment" reading clubs. Volunteer to share the joy of music with K-5th graders and help bring our music-themed books to life!

We feature performers on our website and personally thank them in our email newsletter, which goes out to about 10,000 subscribers. You can view last year’s performers here: https://www.readingtokids.org/ReadingClubs/MarchMusicPublic2025.php

Performance details:

• Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
• Arrival Time: 10:30am
• Performance Time: 11:15 - 11:30am (15 mins)
• Location: One of our seven partner schools near Downtown LA
• Audience: Up to 60 kids, 20 parents, and 45 volunteers (varies by school)
• Refreshments: Light breakfast of bagels, coffee, and juice provided

Sound equipment information:

Depending on the school, the performance will take place either outside or in the multipurpose room (the lunchroom/assembly space, sometimes with a small stage). While some schools have microphones and basic sound systems, it can be hit or miss, so we recommend bringing your own equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly. If your instrument or voice projects well, we can also place you at a school where the space or audience size is small enough that a sound system isn’t needed.

Tips & guidelines:

We kindly ask that all performances be appropriate for elementary-aged children. Songs about love are perfectly fine, but please avoid lyrics with innuendo or mature themes. Some performers like to educate the kids about their instruments or musical journey, while others perform a solid 15-minute set. However you choose to use the time, we encourage you to make it your own and have fun!

About Reading to Kids & our impact on the Los Angeles community:

Reading to Kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading. On the second Saturday of each month, we host reading clubs at seven Los Angeles elementary schools, where pairs of volunteers read aloud to small groups of children. Each child leaves with a book of their own to take home and build up their personal library, and we donate much needed hardcover books to each of the school libraries. Since May of 1999, we have distributed more than 197,000 books to children, donated 37,181 books to their school libraries, and recruited 24,903 volunteer readers.