Open Call
As part of its mission to promote classical music, the Reina Sofía School of Music organises the “Concerts for Schoolchildren” series every year in collaboration with the Banco Santander Foundation and the Community of Madrid. This educational programme, now in its twenty-sixth year, has involved thousands of children and young people.
In the 2025–26 academic year, we will launch the call for free in-person concerts at the National Auditorium in October, aimed at Primary and Secondary school students in the Community of Madrid. Don’t miss them!
Concerts for Schoolchildren at the National Auditorium
Application from October 13 to November 14, 2025, via this form.
For full information, please consult the Terms and Conditions of the call.
Description:
Free in-person concerts for students from 4th year of Primary to 4th year of Secondary Education, lasting approximately one hour, in the morning and with two sessions per concert (at 10:00 and 12:00), in the Chamber Hall of the National Music Auditorium of Madrid.
In this XXVII edition, the series features two programmes that will be presented in a total of four concerts for children and young audiences:
- The first of the concerts is entitled “Musical Hits: How the Classics Inspired Pop”, an educational concert that invites Secondary Education students to discover the surprising links between classical music and the great hits of pop and rock. Through the immortal melodies of Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi and Pachelbel, the programme shows how the creativity of composers of the past continues to inspire artists of the present, demonstrating that good music never goes out of style.
- The second proposal, “Between the Strings”, draws an original parallel between classical music and the world of boxing. The
narrator Belén Otxotorena broadcasts a match in which a string orchestra faces some of the great “heavyweights” of the History of Music in the ring. A fun and educational experience that brings classical music closer to Primary Education students, awakening their curiosity and showing the strength, rhythm and emotion hidden in string instruments.
Dates
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 (at 10:00 and 12:00): “Musical Hits: How the Classics Inspired Pop”, for Secondary Education.
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (at 10:00 and 12:00): “Between the Strings”, for Primary Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the selection criteria for schools?
Every year we receive more applications than we can accommodate. However, in order to make a balanced selection of centres, we usually apply several criteria, as stated in the Terms and Conditions.
What is the best time to sign up?
We have two sessions each concert day: one at 10:00 and another at 12:00. We recommend that schools located within the city of Madrid sign up for the 10:00 session, and schools located in outlying districts or in other municipalities of the Community of Madrid register for the 12:00 session, to avoid delays due to traffic.
How do I know if I have been selected?
Once the call is closed, we have a period of 20 calendar days to make the selection. The selected centres will be informed by email, using the contact address provided in the application. If they do not respond to the email, they will be contacted by telephone. If contact is not possible, the school will be discarded and the next one on the list will be selected.
If you do not receive our email or call within one month of the closing date of the call, the centre has not been selected.
When are the teaching guides sent?
We try to send the teaching guides as soon as possible, always at least one month before the concert, so that teachers can prepare the content in class. The guides are sent by email in PDF format to all selected schools or institutes.
How many teachers can accompany the students?
According to regulations (Order 1688/2011, of April 29, of the Community of Madrid), groups of up to 40 students must be accompanied by two teachers. From this figure, one more teacher will be added for every 20 additional students. Consult the Terms and Conditions for more information.
*If there is a student with special educational needs (ACNEE), each one must be accompanied by a technician III, teacher or other member of the educational staff.
