Phoenix Symphony's Educational "Classroom Concerts" begin September 14

Annual education series includes free library concerts open to the general public

(PHOENIX) – The Phoenix Symphony's Education Ensembles bring its popular in-school “Classroom Concerts” to schools across the Valley beginning September 14. Symphony musicians perform and moderate concerts for students, parents, and educators that foster a deeper understanding of orchestral music and instruments. The “Classroom Concerts” are partially funded through the generosity of the Peoria Arts Commission, Lewis and Roca LLP, the City of Glendale, and the City of Tempe.

In addition, The Phoenix Symphony Woodwind Ensemble will present two popular “Classroom Concerts” in local libraries open to the general public. These free concerts will take place on Saturday, September 29 at the Cesar Chavez Library in Laveen and on Sunday, September 30 at the Burton Barr Library in central Phoenix. The concerts are appropriate for children ages 4-12 and will take place at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Each year, The Phoenix Symphony String Orchestra, Brass and Percussion Ensemble, and Woodwind Ensemble visit over 25 schools reaching more than 13,000 students valley-wide. The “Classroom Concerts” series has educated and cultivated musical interest in K-8th grade students in the Valley for over 30 years. The goals of this arts education program are to introduce young students to the Symphony and to a live concert experience, to supplement existing arts programs with classroom-based activities reflecting the Arizona Arts Standards, and to engage schools with little or no arts funding and schools that are unable to attend performances in downtown Phoenix. “Classroom Concerts” take place in schools across the Valley and include a new presentation this year at the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix.

For more information about any or all of these Education Programs, visit The Phoenix Symphony's website at www.phoenixsymphony.org or call the Education Office Information Hotline at 602-495-1117, ext. 311 or email education@phoenixsymphony.org.

About Phoenix Symphony Education programs: The Phoenix Symphony's education and community programs are designed to provide rich cultural experiences of symphonic music for children, students, and adults from around the Valley and greater Arizona. Through The Phoenix Symphony's education and community activities, The Phoenix Symphony engages over 80,000 students and adults each year, at over 275 schools valley-wide, and in over 35 cities state-wide. The Phoenix Symphony's education programs include Symphony for the Schools, Classroom Concerts, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, and a variety of other requested school visits and speaking engagements. Other education initiatives include Student Rush Tickets, Student Discounts, Student Group Rates, and Family Concerts. Community education opportunities include One Nation, Side by Side, ¡Abraze La Música!, Symphony Connections, Armonía, Community Ticket Programs, Summer Radio Broadcasts on KBAQ, People's Pops Concerts, and “Musically Speaking.”

About The Phoenix Symphony: Celebrating its 60th Anniversary Season, The Phoenix Symphony has been proudly serving the citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona since 1947. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Gerald W. Murphy.

The 75-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length classical and pops concerts at Sym­phony Hall in downtown Phoenix, in Scottsdale, in Prescott, and throughout central Arizona. The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children, helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.

LIBRARY CONCERTS
Free Event

September 29 - Saturday, 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Library
3635 W. Baseline Rd., Laveen, AZ

September 30 - Sunday, 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Burton Barr Library
1221 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ

THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
Kayoko Dan, conductor

Come to the library and check out more than books!
Appropriate for children ages 4 - 12, The Phoenix
Symphony Woodwind Ensemble presents fun, interactive
and informative concerts at Phoenix Libraries. Assistant
Conductor Kayoko Dan leads the concert and the
discussion about the oboe, bassoon, clarinet and more!
Check us out! For more information about this free event
or to make a reservation call 602-495-1117 x 311.