Symphony education programs engage young people with enriching and healing music education opportunities. Our programs offer students from all backgrounds the experience of live, in-person concerts by a professional orchestra (a potentially life-altering event), opportunities to develop their skills and talents as young musicians, and fun, interactive learning experiences with CSO musicians. We offer a diverse range of in-person and virtual programming, providing a variety of ways for teachers to integrate music education into the classroom, and for families, children, and lifelong learners to explore great music from around the world.
AT THE OHIO THEATER
YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS
Each year, thousands of students throughout the greater Columbus area participate in the Columbus Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts. Concerts are programmed at the Ohio Theatre and are thematically based and grade-appropriate. Pre-concert materials are provided for teachers and students based on the Ohio Academic content standards. All seats are $5 and include a student workbook and one teacher guide & concert music. (1 free teacher ticket for every 20 students). Transportation grants are available. Please check our resource page below for music links, student workbooks, and teacher guides for all of our Young People's Concerts. For more information or to register click here.
BACKSTAGE WITH THE SYMPHONY
A unique behind-the-scenes experience for students in grades 3-12, with opportunities to learn about the architecture and history of the Ohio Theatre and the history of the Columbus Symphony. This opporunitity, includes a comprehensive tour of the Ohio Theatre, led by knowledgeable docents, and the change to observe the orchestra during rehearsal. For more information or to register click here.
AT YOUR SCHOOL
IN-SCHOOL CONCERTS
In-school full orchestra performances are tailored for grades K-5 and 6-12 to bring classical music directly to young people in Columbus communities! A limited number of free concert performances are available for the 2022-2023 season.
For more information or to register click here.
Can't Stop the Feelin' (K-5)
September 2022-February 2023
Have you ever wondered how a piece of music made you cry or dance around with excitement? Classical composers use different moods, tonality, structures, and instruments to help us understand the language of music. Join us as we explore these musical ideas and get to the heart of why music has such an impact on our feelings and emotions.
Baroque to Bespoke (6-12)
February 2022-May 2023
Andres Lopera takes you through a musical journey of the birth of Baroque to the popular genre mash-ups of today. Through a curated selection of orchestra repertoire, students will gain an understanding of how the orchestra, instruments, and composers transformed our orchestral musical timeline.
MUSICIANS IN THE SCHOOLS
In-school chamber performances are tailored to grades k-2, 3-5, 6-12, and bring classical music directly to young people in Columbus communities! For more information or to sign up for a session please click here.
IN YOUR CLASSROOM
MINDFUL MUSIC MOMENTS
Mindful Music Moments, a program to teach stress reduction and mindfulness techniques through classical music, served 12,000 students from over 30 local schools and 10 preschools in 2021-2022. At the start of each day, students listen to four minutes of recorded classical music and relaxation prompts during morning announcements. Part music appreciation and part stress-reduction techniques, the program offers insight on the composers and music history while taking a moment to calm students’ minds and prepare them to learn. For 2022-2023, the Columbus Symphony expanded our sponsorship of Mindful Music Moments, offering the program for free to all Columbus City Schools and central Ohio pre-schools. Click here to learn more.
ONLINE
CSO IN THE CLASSROOM
A three-year digital music curriculum that can be used independently or sequentially for students grades 2-5. Weekly videos and worksheets feature our lovable mascot Bee-thoven and CSO musicians, accompanied by grade-appropriate materials aligned with Ohio Fine Arts and English Language Arts standards. Each semester-long unit focuses on subjects such as instruments of the orchestra, classical composers, basics of music, composing, listening, analyzing, and critiquing. Each unit concludes with a full-length concert performed by the Columbus Symphony or a culminating project. For more information click here.
INTERACTIVE WEBSITES
Websites for students, parents/guardians, teachers, and caregivers, and learners of all ages to dive deeper into the world of music. These sites provide meaningful learning opportunities, each with three areas to explore: Learn, Perform, and Visit. Both sites are full of engaging activities and information, tailored to a particular age group.
- CSOKidsKorner.com for grades K-6, featuring CSO mascot Bee-thoven as your virtual guide.
- SymphonicTeens.com offers teens and aspiring young musicians video lessons, games and activities, audition tips, and more.
Questions about Classroom Progams? Fill our our Information Form HERE or contact
Director of Education, Meghan McDevitt, at mmcdevitt@columbussymphony.com or at (614) 221-4916
Special thanks:
Bee-thoven Express Presenting Sponsor
