Rossen Milanov, Music Director
Next Event:
OVERVIEW
Each season, the wide-ranging education programs of the Columbus Symphony connect hundreds of thousands of young people, families, educators, students, and aspiring musicians of all ages. These creative experiences nurture the finest musical talent at all levels and harness the power of the arts to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.
Field Trips
Each year, thousands of students throughout the greater Columbus area participate in the Columbus Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts. These concerts are held at the Ohio Theatre and are thematically based, grade-appropriate, and aligned with current Ohio Academic Standards. Our Concert Guidebooks include pre- and post- concert listening maps, worksheets, and activities designed to guide student learning and provide a comprehensive wraparound educational experience.
Location: Ohio Theater (39 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215)
Time: all concerts start at 10:30am
Tickets: $5 per student/chaperone, with scholarships available for all Title I schools
Transportation: Bee-thoven Express Bus Grants are available for all concerts and are open to all schools!
(Grades 3-5, with flexibility)
Designed for grades 3–6, Sound Lab Symphony invites curious students to discover how instruments create unique sounds, how composers craft stories with melody and rhythm, and how music travels through waves and vibrations in the air.
With engaging explanations and interactive elements, Sound Lab Symphony encourages students to think like scientists, experiment with sound, and experience the magic of the orchestra up close.
This concert lasts approximately 55 minutes with no intermission.
Program to Include*
Heitor Villa-Lobos Brazil
Stravinsky Pulcinella
Dvořák Serenade for Strings
Smetana Má Vlast
* Subject to change
Grades 6-12, with flexibility)
Join the Columbus Symphony as we dive into Decoding the Classics—unraveling the rich stories and emotions hidden within iconic masterpieces. Experience Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony, a sweeping work that captures the spirit of adventure and hope in a new land.
Be amazed by Andrey Bakalov, our 2025 Young Musicians Competition winner, performing Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a virtuosic and passionate piece that reveals the powerful depths of classical music.
Together, we’ll unlock the mysteries and magic behind these timeless classics and celebrate the incredible talent of our young musicians.
Program to Include*
Dvořák Symphony No.9, op.95, B.178, in E minor (From the New World)
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1
* Subject to change
BIO
Andrey Bakalov is a 17-year-old Junior who has been seriously studying piano with Nina Polonsky since 2020. Since then, he has seen success in multiple competitions. The most notable are first place at the 2024 Venetia Hall Concerto Competition and 2023/25 CMTA Achievement Awards, second at the 2024 American Virtuoso Competition and 2024 CMTA Achievement Awards as well as alternate positions at the 2023 Buckeye State Finals and 2024 Ohio MTNA competition. After earning an honorable mention at the 2022 Piano Star Grand Finals, Andrey was invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Just recently, after receiving the Platinum Award at the AADGT International Young Gifted Musicians Competition “Passion of Music” Japan 2025, he has been invited to perform at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Andrey has also participated in masterclasses with many renowned pianists including Alexander Kobrin and Marina Lomazov. Beyond piano, he also is a successful competitive ballroom dancer, partnering with his mother to win competitions locally and nationally.
(Grades K-2, with flexibility)
Join us for a magical musical adventure in Once Upon a Tune, where music and storytelling come to life! In this enchanting concert designed just for students in grades K–3, the orchestra becomes the narrator, guiding us through fairy tales, adventures, and whimsical worlds—one tune at a time. Whether it’s a dancing bear, a brave little hero, or a stormy sea, every piece unlocks a new part of the story. With engaging narration and playful orchestral music, young listeners will discover how melodies can spark imagination and bring stories to life—no words needed!
Program to Include*
TBD
(Grades 3-5, with flexibility)
Link Up provides a free, high-quality, yearlong curriculum that teachers can implement, along with teaching materials, online video and audio resources, and the professional development and support necessary to make the program an engaging experience for students.
Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program pairs orchestras with students in grades 3-5 at schools in their local communities, giving students the opportunity to learn about, listen to, and perform great music. Students participating in Link Up explore an interactive curriculum in which they learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom before performing with the orchestra from their seats at a culminating concert.
Join the Columbus Symphony and our young musicians for Link Up: The Orchestra Rocks—a thrilling, interactive concert experience that explores rhythm, energy, and the power of the orchestra. Featuring music by composers like Carl Orff, Igor Stravinsky, and contemporary artists, this dynamic program highlights how the orchestra can shake the ground, stir emotions, and bring communities together. Students will sing, play recorders or instruments, and perform alongside the symphony in this unforgettable celebration of music that truly rocks!
Repertoire Highlights:
Cabaniss “Come to Play”
Verdi “Anvil Chorus” from Il tovatore
Vivaldi “La Follia”
Stravinsky “Dance of the Adolescents” from The Rite of Spring
Orff “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana
Cabaniss “Drumlines”
Meyer “Go BIG or Go HOME”
Berry “Johnny B. Goode”
Participating Schools Receive:
Professional development resources and webinar for lead teachers and administrators
School Requirements
Friday, November 14 at 6pm-7:30pm (in person)* or Thursday, December 18 at 3pm (virtual)
* Please join us for an optional CSO Masterworks concert, Handel’s Messiah, with (2) complimentary tickets.
Final student counts and full payments are due to the Columbus Symphony by Friday, February 3, 2026.
AT YOUR SCHOOL
*Our In-School Pop-Up Concerts are FREE to all schools and are subject to availability throughout the season. **
Bring the magic of live music right to your school with the Columbus Symphony! Our full orchestra of 40+ professional musicians will perform a high-energy, engaging concert designed especially for upper elementary students.
Through a mix of classical favorites, movie-style music, and even a pop hit or two, students will explore the building blocks of music—melody, rhythm, dynamics, and form—while discovering how orchestral music connects to the sounds they already know and love.
Featured repertoire includes:
This interactive concert is aligned with Ohio’s Learning Standards for Music and supports classroom learning through engaging, age-appropriate musical experiences. Whether students are new to orchestra or already learning an instrument, they’ll be inspired to listen, move, and think musically!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Mindful Music Moments is a Tier 1 PBIS-aligned program that helps students start their day with calm, focus, and creativity. In partnership with the Columbus Symphony and The Well, this daily listening practice features 3 minutes of orchestral, jazz, world, and new music, paired with simple mindfulness prompts. Teachers can easily incorporate the program during morning announcements or as a classroom routine to support self-awareness, emotional regulation, and music appreciation.
A limited number of free subscriptions are available to Columbus City Schools on a first-come, first-served basis.
online Resources
Explore the magical world of music with us! Designed just for kids, this fun and interactive site lets you meet famous composers, discover all the instruments in the orchestra, and learn what to expect at a real live symphony concert. Play games, test your music knowledge, and dive into exciting activities that bring the power of music to life. Whether you’re just getting started or already love orchestra music, there’s something here for everyone. Let the adventure begin!
Have a question or want to learn more? Contact: Education Assistant, Ashley Marini
amarini@columbussymphony.com | 614.223.1547