Springfield Symphony Education & Outreach Programs

Since its founding, the Springfield Symphony’s mission has included a strong commitment to the musical enrichment of young people of southwest Missouri. This is clearly evidenced by its many educational and outreach programs, which have been a vital part of the community since 1970, benefiting underprivileged and underserved children and families.  Springfield Symphony educational and outreach programs are funded through the generosity of businesses, foundations and private individuals who show concern about the quality of life through education and cultural enrichment. These programs include the Musician’s Initiative Fund, Community Outreach Funds, Young People’s Concerts, Ensembles-In-Schools, Concerts-To-Go, Boy Scout Music Merit Badge Opportunity, Family and Community Free Matinee Series, and the newest Symphony program, The Springfield Symphony Youth Jazz Orchestra.  Together, these programs will reach over 12,000 people this season, giving them important musical exposure to the performing arts. These projects and programs have become benchmarks of the Springfield Symphony. The Springfield Symphony also collaborates with the Springfield Public Schools’ PTA in the Reflections Contest and with the Springfield Symphony Guild in awarding the annual Summer Music Camp scholarships to area high school students.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS May 4, 2010 FREE

The annual Young People’s Concerts will bring together approximately 6,000 fourth grade children from almost 100 different elementary schools in Springfield and many surrounding rural communities to listen to live symphonic music and to gain valuable exposure to the elements of musical styles and eras. Each of the Young People’s Concerts is specifically designed to be an in-depth learning experience. Three concerts are planned for May 4, 2010, at Second Baptist Church. On the day of the performances, the children are brought to the concerts by school busses, seated together by classes with their teachers, and treated to an enriching cultural experience. The music is interspersed with entertaining facts about each composition. Musical instrumentation is explained, as are differences in musical styles. Following each performance, the teachers follow up with each class attending in discussing important elements of the musical experience so as to integrate the concert experience into the students’ curriculum.