EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Southwest Florida Symphony Organization is committed to supporting and encouraging Arts Education in Lee County. The Symphony’s commitment to education is evident through its educational programs which it dedicates nearly $100,000 to annually.

The Symphony is dedicated to providing the very best in educational opportunities for our audience of the future. Youth education programs foster young musicians’ skills and strengthen their appreciation for the symphonic music. Programs are extended to children in Lee, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte counties.

For additional information on any educational programs, please call the Symphony Offices at 239.418.0996.


YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS 

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

May 7, 2013 at 10:00 and 11:30 AM

Christopher Confessore, Conductor

The Symphony is All Around You.

This fun-filled concert is an excellentintroduction to the wonderful sound of a live, professional orchestra in concert. Take a journey with your Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra to discover how the symphony is part of your everyday lives, with music by Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky as well as selections from Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and Star Wars!

 

ENSEMBLES IN THE SCHOOLS

The Southwest Florida Symphony now offers two in-school ensemble programs  - a string quartet and a brass quintet. These 45-minute programs tie in with the fifth grade music curriculum, teaching concepts such as rhythmic and melodic elements, important composers and various musical periods and styles.

For information about scheduling your school for an ensemble program, call the Symphony Office at 418-0996.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS AND COMPETITIONS

The Southwest Florida Symphony Jillian Prescott Music Awards is an annual competition for keyboard, voice and instrumental performers 22 years of age or younger who have legal residence in the counties of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry in Florida. The competition is two-tiered - Youth: high school and younger (age 12-17) and Young Adult (age 17-22). Cash prizes are awarded and the overall winner is featured in a performance with the Southwest Florida Symphony. The competition is open to the public.
 

The Van Sickle Vocal Scholarship Competition, is held every two years. The competition is open to high school seniors who are planning to major in music with voice as their principal instrument, or vocal majors already in college or graduate school. The scholarship may be awarded to anyone majoring in Music, Music Education, Theory, etc.as long as the principal instrument is voice. The scholarship will be awarded for a period of four years, with $2,000 granted each year.

 

TICKET PROGRAMS FOR DISADVANTAGED & AT-RISK STUDENTS

The Symphony offers complimentary concert tickets to children, families, and individuals, many from public housing areas, as well as to Scholars Club students.

For more information regarding this program, or to become involved, please call the Symphony Office at 239.418.0996.

 

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
Meet the instruments of the orchestra up close and personal. The Instrument Zoo is a traveling interactive display that provides a hands on experience for young students or adults. The program offers an introduction to instrument families and the role in the orchestra. Please don’t feed the trombones!

 

SYMPHONY DISCOVERY CLUB
THE BEST MUSICAL DEAL AROUND!
For a ONE TIME fee of $15 students in grades K-12 can enjoy concerts and learn about music throughout their school years at great savings. Discovery Club members can purchase as many as 3 tickets per concert weekend for only $5 each.

These tickets are subject to availability and can only be purchased during the two weeks immediately preceding the concert. Tickets must be purchased through the Symphony Box Office. They are not available online.

Call 239.418.1500 for tickets.

 

OPEN REHEARSALS
Student groups have the opportunity to meet the Maestro and to observe a professional orchestra prepare for a concert. There is also the possibility of a tour of backstage (must be pre-arranged).Call SWFLSO Office to schedule your group.

Several Orchestra rehearsals throughout the year at the Riverside Community Center are open to the public. For dates, programs and information, click this link.

 

STUDENT RUSH TICKETS $5 PER TICKET!
Last minute concert tickets will be available to college students one hour before any Pops and Classical Symphony Concert held at the Barbara B. Mann Hall for $5 (subject to availability). A valid school Student ID is necessary at the time of purchase. Students may purchase only two tickets per concert.

Tickets must be purchased at the concert venue. Advance tickets are not available through the Box Office. Students should not experience capacity issues.

 

YOUTH SYMPHONY
Open to strings, wind and percussion students, by audition, the group rehearses weekly at Edison College and performs five concerts each year. Students receive coaching from the professional musicians of SWFLSO. Each year the students and parents participate in several fundraising events to support the youth orchestra program.
 
 
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
New in 2012-13, the Concert Orchestra is a full orchestra of strings, winds and percussion designed as an intermediate ensemble to prepare students for the Youth Symphony.The Concert Orchestra is conducted by Roland Forti.
 
 
SINFONIETTA
The Sinfonietta is an orchestra for less experienced string players. The group rehearses weekly and performs throughout the year, to include an annual holiday performance at Bell Tower Mall. The group is conducted by Nanette Grant.

 

FOR ADULTS

Program Notes
Read Program Notes online.

Pre-Concert Lectures
7-7:30 PM prior to Masterworks Concerts at BBM (with the exception of the Discovery Concert)