Ananpolis Symphony Orchestra Educational Brochure

E x c it ing t he Imaginat ion of all Generat ions

Education & Outreach

Welcome welcome Dear Friends: While I thoroughly enjoy working with professional musicians and conducting a firstclass symphony, I find participating in the ASO’s education and outreach programs to be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling part of my job. I know that our musicians feel the same way. Obviously, music education has been a critical component in the quality of their lives, as in mine, and that is why the ASO especially values the musical education of all students and adults in our community.

Music education is for all of us. Regardless of age, background or musical talent, we all benefit from these programs.

Research clearly shows that music education programs prepare students to learn, facilitate student achievement, and develop the creative capacities for lifelong success.

Beyond the academic and emotional benefits of music, we also believe in the restorative powers of music.

In short, music education improves lives, which is why the ASO offers a broad spectrum of programs including education concerts for second-graders, symphony study classes for adults, and partnerships in the medical community.

It is our hope that all in our community will be able to participate and enjoy the ASO’s education and outreach programs. Whether you join us at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, or invite us into your school, we look forward to sharing the joy and benefits of classical music with you.

Sincerely, José-Luis Novo Music Director & Conductor Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Youth

YOUTH EDUCATION

ASO’s youth education outreach strives to ensure that all children have the opportunity to make music part of their lives. Hands-on, in-class exposure to musical instruments, on-going access to professional musicians and in-theatre concert experiences enhance and enrich schools’ existing music curricula.

THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE Annually, the ASO performs education concerts for more than 3,500 second graders from area elementary schools. Taking place during the school day, these educational performances expose students of racially and economically diverse backgrounds to symphonic music in the theatre setting. Teacher education guides and musical recordings are provided in advance to help teachers prepare students for the concert experience. Specific goals of this concert experience are: to introduce second grade students to live music performed by a professional symphony orchestra; to teach students about the four instrument families; and to reinforce that music is fun and beautiful.

MUSICIANS IN THE CLASSROOM ASO offers a variety of unique and rewarding programs in which our professional musicians visit local schools to engage students in fun, hands-on musical experiences.

Music Van Each spring, a team of ASO musicians from the string, woodwind and brass families of the orchestra visit third grade classes for a hands-on introduction to the instruments.

This up-close and personal exposure to instruments assists students in deciding which instrument to play in their school’s band or orchestra. The Music Van program has contributed to a significant increase in the number of students choosing to take instrumental music at participating schools.

Adopt-a-School Teams of ASO musicians regularly visit area elementary, middle and high schools to assist music teachers by providing individual coaching and instruction to instrumental music students. This opportunity to work directly with professional symphony musicians is eagerly anticipated by students and teachers alike. This program culminates in a year-end concert featuring the students and ASO musicians playing side-by-side conducted by the ASO’s Music Director. Local school orchestras have greatly improved through their Adopt-a-School participation, demonstrated by higher scores at school orchestra competitions.

For more information on our programs, visit the ASO online: www.annapolissymphony.org

Our partnership with the Annapolis Symphony has truly become the cornerstone of our orchestra program. In the last few years, I have witnessed a steady growth in the size of our orchestra program as well as overall quality of musicianship from our students. I attribute much of this growth to the strong relationship we have now formed with the ASO and its wonderful musicians.

— Matthew Raab, Instrumental Music Director, Annapolis Middle School Composer-in-Residence ASO is pleased to bring accomplished composers, such as Latin Grammy Award winner, Gabriela Lena Frank, into area schools to work with composition and music students. Interacting with such talented composers offers students unique one-on-one experiences that enrich their knowledge, stimulate their creativity, and contribute to their overall musical growth.

Master Classes Each season a number of internationally renowned guest artists are invited to present master classes to area music students. Master classes supplement a student’s musical studies with one-on-one interaction with top musicians in their field.

Adult

Adult EDUCATION

The ASO is committed to continuing the best traditions of life-long learning and community building through its adult education programs.

Pre-concert Lectures One hour prior to classical series performances, Dr. Rachel Franklin, distinguished lecturer and pianist, provides musical and historical context and perspective to the evening’s repertoire in these free pre-concert lectures.

Program Notes Program notes, included in each classic series concert program, provide valuable composer biographies and shed light on the historical and cultural context in which the pieces were composed, as well as breakdowns of the various parts of each piece.

ASO also makes the program notes, along with musical excerpts, available on our website to provide another opportunity for our audience to increase their enjoyment of the concert by enabling a deeper understanding of the music.

Symphony Study Course For adult patrons interested in an in-depth learning experience, the ASO offers its “Symphony Study” course, led by Dr. Rachel Franklin. This four-session interactive class is specifically designed for music lovers who want to learn even more about the world of classical music. The course offers a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary study of a specific topic within the classical music realm.

e ASO Symphony Study course greatly enhanced my Th appreciation and understanding for music. Dr. Franklin leads the course with an engaging style and seemingly limitless knowledge.

— 2011 Symphony Study student

For more information on our programs, visit the ASO online: www.annapolissymphony.org

Community Impact

Community at large

Impact of music

The ASO is committed to producing, presenting, and promoting memorable symphonic music that increases the awareness, enjoyment, and appreciation of music for all ages throughout the region — and we demonstrate that commitment through a variety of community programs.

enhances creative thinking, reasoning skills and improves the overall

Labor Day Concert

acquisition and retention of knowledge. Playing

Pops in the Park is a free concert produced by the ASO and performed annually at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Open to the public, the Labor Day concert kicks off the ASO’s season before a gathering of 4,000 people, many of whom have never entered a concert hall. Children, parents, grandparents, young couples, retirees, musiclovers young and old all gather to hear the wonders of symphonic music in an idyllic outdoor setting. This is a family-friendly ASO tradition treasured by all in our community!

Community Outreach ASO continually works to reach our wider community through music. With guest appearances by the Maestro, guest artists and our musicians, the ASO’s outreach brings on-site education and programming to senior communities, youth-serving agencies, and community organizations throughout the region.

Ticket to health The ASO believes in the restorative power of music. Through a variety of partnerships, ASO’s Ticket to Health program uses music to create a positive impact on patient healing. Music can address a patient’s need for hope, encouragement, support and comfort. Whether sending our musicians into area hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers or partnering with local doctors who prescribe concerts for their patients, the Ticket to Health program aims to support our community’s health through music.

The music of the ASO brings people together and enriches the wonderful quality of life that we all enjoy here.

— Brian S. Walter, M & T Bank

For more information on our programs, visit the ASO online: www.annapolissymphony.org

Music education

an instrument develops

leadershipskills,

confidence and higher self-esteem in students of all ages. Exposure to music helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure and contributes to a general sense of

well-being.

The power of music extends beyond the concert hall and touches us in our daily lives, whatever we do.

— Maestro José-Luis Novo

Learn leARN MORe maryland hall for the creative arts 801 chase street, suite 204, annapolis, md 21401 410.269.1132

www.annapolissymphony.org

Get Involved HOW YOU CAN GeT INVOlVeD

If you are an Educator, we’d love to discuss bringing a musician or the Maestro into your classroom and/or bringing your class to a concert, as well as exploring other ways to enhance your classroom objectives.

If you are a corporate, individual, or foundation donor, your support makes these education programs possible. We’d love to find just the right match for you and your interests!

Let us help you Play your Part in making a difference!

Being able to experience live symphonic music is one of the great things about life in Annapolis. Whether performing in the Hall, the classrooms, the Park, or in venues across our community, the ASO has become part of the very fabric that makes our community so special.

— Katharene Snavely, ASO Executive Director

this brochure was made possible through a grant from the Paul m. angell family foundation.

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts 801 Chase Street, Suite 204 Annapolis, MD 21401