VSO SymphonyKids Musicians-in-the-Schools
The VSO's SymphonyKids Educational Outreach programs offer a wide array of options for in-school visits and field trips.
Our core outreach program, Musicians-in-the-Schools, includes seven different ensembles that are available for in-school presentations. Concerts include demonstration of instruments, a wide sampling of repertoire, audience participation, and a certain amount of zany humor. These groups normally present three 45-minute shows a day, which can be in three different schools if they are close enough geographically. All presentations are most appropriate for elementary age students. The cost is $285 per performance, or $850 for a full day. Subsidy money is often available, especially if schools help set up bookings. The performing groups are:
Fiddlesticks! (String Trio)
Fiddlesticks’ performances for schoolchildren are designed to introduce students to the most important members of the symphony orchestra and to make some of the key concepts in classical music-making come alive. Longtime members of the VSO, the performers are funny, friendly, interactive -- and superior musicians.
Fanfare (Brass Trio)
Fanfare’s show, “Galactic Brass,” includes a variety of musical styles plus demonstrations of how the instruments produce their sounds and how each one has changed since its beginnings. Watch a short video below about Fanfare at the Tunbridge Fair on September 16, 2010.
Raising Cane (Woodwind Trio)
Raising Cane has years of experience turning kids on to classical music. Their program focuses on the unique sounds of the three reed instruments, and encourages children to sharpen their listening skills. Watch a short video below produced by WCAX featuring Raisnig Cane in Champlain Elementary School (Burlington).
DrumShtick (Percussion Trio)
DrumShtick’s show, “Percussion Means the World to Us,” explores a culturally diverse repertoire and includes demonstrations of non-Western instruments. Through their sometimes zany humor the musicians introduce children both to general musical concepts and to the family of percussion instruments.
Harp & Soul (Flute and Harp Duo)
The dynamic SymphonyKids duo, Harp & Soul, presents a fresh and engaging program which illustrates how the harp and flute work and sound, and how composers have used their special abilities in orchestral music.
Ah! Cappella (Vocal Quartet)
Using nothing but the instruments they were born with, the four singers in Ah! Cappella present a program that delights as it instructs. They perform a wide selection of music, from an early madrigal and part of a mass to an African-American spiritual.
Symphony Reel (String Trio)
Symphony Reel takes students on a fun and unique journey through a range of musical styles, including classical and folk.
The booking process for ensembles is much easier if you use the following guidelines:
Want to see our programs in action? Watch our five-minute promotional DVD that will give you a first-hand look at all of our wonderful SymphonyKids offerings.
Click here for the Musicians-in-the-Schools schedule for the remainder of the season.
For more information or to book a Musicians-in-the-Schools ensemble, please e-mail Eleanor Long or call (800) VSO-9293 x 14.
