Whitney Young offers students musical instruction, as well as a chance to play an instrument. The students are given direction, advancing through several different levels, learning to play the instruments that they feel passionate about. They are taught to read music and to understand the relationship between notation and instrument.. In a very short time the students are reading and playing short pieces of their own, virtually teaching themselves. The students practice with concentration, expression and with group participation in the music program. Students study theory, the basic language of structure, melodic scales and foundation in ways that challenge and interest them. At the end of each school year, students work together for the End of the Year Performance, which allows the students to show the parents and guests what they have achieved in the prior nine months. This gives the student the reward in which they desire most; recognition and respect, in a concert style atmosphere for their achievement.