Topic: Education

Philadelphia Orchestra and Temple University Launch Partnership

Posted on March 6, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Thursday’s (3/5) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin writes, “Broadway stars and orchestral players might lead budding Philadelphia musical talent in master classes, and new college internships could open up at the city’s largest performing arts producer and presenter. As Temple University prepares to establish an outpost in Philadelphia’s major arts district, the school and Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new partnership, formalizing a dream stage for joint activities already underway. The new arrangement is expected to benefit not only Temple University students, but also younger students of Temple Music Prep and the Philadelphia School District. Temple and the orchestra have long partnered on projects, but the university’s purchase of Terra Hall—near the orchestra and Kimmel Center—will allow a deeper level of involvement, leaders said. In the fall of 2027, for instance, about three dozen Philadelphia Orchestra current and retired musicians are expected to move their teaching studios from Temple’s main campus to Terra. Other collaborations are expected to take shape over the next year and half.”

Palm Beach Symphony Gives Prize-winning Student Musicians Professional-Level Instruments

Posted on March 2, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Friday’s (2/27) Boca Raton Patch (Florida), Paige Feigenbaum writes, “Three talented high school seniors from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach have received Palm Beach Symphony’s 2026 Lisa Bruna B-Major Award. Violinist Michael Li was awarded first place, pianist Josefina Ezcurra placed second and violinist Elias Cohen placed third. As their prize, they’ve each been gifted new professional level instruments to use for college auditions and future music career endeavors…. ‘We are incredibly proud of these three outstanding students, who have distinguished themselves academically and musically while also giving back to their community…’ said Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont…. Violinist Michael Li received an Alexandru Ozon violin and a Archet SLC gold mounted bow…. Palm Beach Symphony gifted Josefina Ezcurra with a Yamaha P525 keyboard and all essential equipment and accessories…. Violinist Elias Cohen … received a John Weisberg violin made in 2022, a Marco Raposo silver mounted bow and a Bam case. … To qualify for the Lisa Bruna B-Major Award, each student must be a graduating high school senior who resides in Palm Beach County, demonstrates financial need, and intends to major in music and pursue their undergraduate studies.”

Fort Worth Symphony Gala Raises $1.7 Million for Education Programs

Posted on February 26, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Monday’s (2/23) Fort Worth Report, David Moreno writes, “The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Feb. 21 gala … raised funds for the orchestra’s Adventures in Music program, an educational initiative that provides concerts and classroom curriculum to more than 20,000 students throughout North Texas…. Several luxury items were auctioned off and individual donations were made until a record-breaking $1,175,150 was raised for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. For music director Robert Spano, the packed downtown ballroom proved that everyone, like him, believes in the power of music. ‘It’s worth reminding ourselves how important our work is …’ he told guests at the gala. ‘The work that we do at the symphony is a critical and important part of the cultural life of Fort Worth. Without a cultural life, there is no life worth having.’… Honorary gala chairman Mercedes T. Bass wrote in the event’s program that philanthropic support helps strengthen the organization’s presence … ‘We know the importance of music education extends beyond teaching musical skills; it encourages creative expression, builds discipline and confidence, and nurtures leadership abilities,’ she wrote.”

Boston Symphony Orchestra and New England Conservatory Collaborate on “BSO x NEC Alliance”

Posted on February 25, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Monday’s (2/23) Berkshire Eagle, a staff-written report states, “On February 12, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and New England Conservatory (NEC) launched the ‘BSO x NEC Alliance,’ which formalizes and expands the artistic collaboration between these two institutions. Through an integrated approach to artist cu’tivation, content development, and shared use of campuses and venues, this alliance between a major symphony orchestra and a leading conservatory will fuel innovation and excellence in orchestral music … While the Boston Symphony Orchestra and New England Conservatory have a long history of collaboration, this alliance will strengthen programming and create new opportunities for students and artists to develop their talents and collaborate with world-class musicians … Initial BSO x NEC Alliance programs include: Young Artist Spotlight Series to showcase four NEC artists per season; BSO Guest Soloist Pathway for composers and conductors to engage with NEC through masterclasses, lectures, and rehearsals; Chamber Music Mentorship with Boston Symphony Chamber Players [including] structured collaboration and coaching opportunities; Music Industry Speaker Series at NEC’s Jordan Hall; a joint Honors Youth Chorus, offered at no cost, composed of local students ages eight to 13 from children’s choirs, to receive choral training through NEC Prep’s Choral Department in preparation for performance opportunities with the BSO.”

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Demystifies the Orchestra Experience with Community Education Series

Posted on February 20, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Sunday’s (2/15) Cape Gazette (Delaware), “The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra recently piloted a new community education initiative, MSO 101: Demystifying the Symphony. The free, four-session course was designed to welcome newcomers into the world of orchestral music. Open to the public, the sessions were held on Wednesday afternoons in January at the Worcester County Library, Ocean Pines, Maryland branch. Created for those curious about symphonic music but unsure where to begin, MSO 101 was designed to help participants feel confident and excited about attending live symphony performances. The course explored not only the music itself, but also the concert experience … Dane Krich, MSO general manager, said … ‘We want people to feel welcome, curious and confident walking into a concert hall, whether it’s their first time or their 50th.’… Participants in MSO 101 received tickets to MSO concerts, allowing them to put their new knowledge into practice and experience a live performance firsthand. The goal was for education and curiosity to culminate in an actual MSO concert, reinforcing that the symphony is accessible, welcoming and engaging. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with practical ideas for refining future offerings.”

At Waco Symphony, Student Musicians Get to Perform with the Pros

Posted on February 19, 2026 by - News Briefs

In Tuesday’s (2/17) Baylor Lariat (Waco, Texas), Camille Kelly writes, “Waco Symphony Orchestra is sweeping the curtains open for one last classical concert of the season that blends … Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 with … modern and classical pieces. The orchestra’s production of ‘Stellar, Sterling & Beethoven 5’ will feature Sterling Elliott, cellist and the winner of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition, on March 19 … The concert not only features … Elliott but also some of Baylor University’s own music students. Freshman Lydia Gravagne will be a cellist performing within the orchestra through the Waco Symphony’s Fellows’ Program. Student musicians can also make connections in the industry through preconcert meetings with the visiting soloist…. Graduate student Katie Cox is another member of the Waco Symphony Orchestra Fellows Program. Cox has been part of the orchestra since her sophomore year of undergraduate school and looks forward to continuing her craft as a violinist. ‘This internship program … gives you a better understanding of how professional symphony life works, from rehearsal schedules to the preparation that’s needed,’ Cox said.” Music Director Lawrence Loh will lead the concert, which includes Shawn Okpebholo Stellar Fanfare Prelude for Orchestra; Sterling Elliott is the soloist in Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2.

Syracuse University Students Learn Marketing with Syracuse Orchestra

Posted on February 18, 2026 by - News Briefs

In last Wednesday’s (2/11) Syracuse University Whitman School of Management site (NY), Suzi Morales writes, “Students in Ph.D. candidate Xiaoying Feng’s Essentials of Marketing course recently teamed up with the Syracuse Orchestra to conduct market analysis and create marketing materials. Top-scoring projects in the course’s final project are being included in the orchestra’s marketing campaigns. The project was personal for Feng who, as an international student earning a doctorate in marketing at the Whitman School of Management, found a place of beauty and belonging in the audience of the Syracuse Orchestra…. She wanted to find a way to encourage more people to enjoy the music as she did…. Feng contacted the orchestra to see how her students … marketing and business minors with interests in everything from engineering to music, could work with the organization…. The project kicked off in November 2025, when Pamela Murchinson, the orchestra’s executive director, visited the class…. She shared information about the orchestra’s marketing challenges as well as attendance and revenue goals for four upcoming events…. Students were assigned one of the Syracuse Orchestra’s holiday events. Final presentations included analysis of each event’s target audience and competitor positioning, as well as recommendations for potential community partnerships and social media campaigns.”

Cincinnati Symphony’s Family-Friendly Concerts Jump-start the New Year

Posted on January 5, 2026 by - News Briefs

In the January 2026 Ohio Magazine, Kelly Powell writes, “For families willing to venture outside this time of year, a trio of all-ages performances from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra awaits, offering engaging musical solutions for chilly winter weekends. Toy Story in Concert | Jan. 3-4: Audiences familiar with Woody and Buzz’s cinematic journey will want to check out this version backed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. While the original ‘Toy Story’ movie plays on the big screen at Cincinnati Music Hall, the orchestra plays live music for the entirety of the film…. Access to Music | Feb. 1: Celebrate the connection between music and the mind at this sensory-friendly performance for kids. The show includes brighter lights, accessible seating and designated quiet areas. The midday concert, produced in partnership with local nonprofit The Well, serves as an exploration of how sound shapes thoughts, emotions and interactions. Peter and the Wolf | Feb. 7: The classic tale from composer Sergei Prokofiev is brought to life on stage with a playful narrator, works by local artist C.F. Payne and lively music…. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Lollipops Family Series provides fun, bite-size concerts that last less than an hour and are most suitable for children ages 2 through 9 … with pre-concert activities.”

Palm Beach Symphony Donates 1,000th Instrument to Students

Posted on December 19, 2025 by - News Briefs

In the December 8 CBS 12 News  (West Palm Beach, Florida), Gershon Harrell reports, “Music shapes hearts, builds confidence, and opens doors to possibilities children never knew they had. On Monday, local students received that gift of music from the Palm Beach Symphony. The Symphony presented 31 instruments—27 of them brand-new —to students and educators in three Title I schools. This donation includes the milestone 1,000th instrument that has been gifted to students, educators, and schools since the Symphony’s instrument donation initiative began in 2016. ‘We’ve learned with the educational outreach that it’s really all about access,’ explains Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont. ‘So, if we give the students access, whether it be receiving a brand new instrument or attending one of our free children’s concerts, performing with us in a side-by-side performance, it really changes their lives because it lets them have a perspective of what it’s like with hard work and dedication of what they can do in life.’ The [Symphony’s] 2025 Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Christopher De León, Director of Jazz Studies at Dreyfoos School of the Arts.”

Empire State Youth Orchestra Breaks Ground on New Home

Posted on November 26, 2025 by - News Briefs

In Wednesday’s (11/25) Times-Union (Albany, New York), Katherine Kiessling writes, “When Rebecca Calos, executive director of Empire State Youth Orchestra, first toured the former St. Joseph’s Parish School in 2021, she didn’t see a patchy back field or the concrete shell of a gymnasium. She saw picnic tables filled with chattering music students and a rehearsal hall filled with a soaring symphony. In short, she saw an eight-acre home for ESYO…. Four years later—and amidst ESYO’s 45th season—ground has finally been broken on an ambitious project that will transform the 20,000-square-foot building into a state-of-the-art Capital Region Youth Music Center. Construction is expected to take a year, putting ESYO students and staff into their new home by Dec. 2, 2026…. The center will feature acoustically advanced rehearsal and recording studios, performance venues, a communal kitchen, administrative offices and a high-tech lounge … ESYO purchased the site for $410,000 in 2022. At the time, the project cost was $10 million. But when the team behind the transformation recalculated the cost to address inflation in 2024, it had grown to $12.3 million… ESYO [includes] 14 performing ensembles and orchestras, plus educational outreach programming, and provides training for over 600 young musicians from across the greater Capital Region annually.”