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Education and Outreach Information
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
The Springfield Symphony’s education and outreach programs are funded through the generosity of businesses, foundations, and individuals who know the value of education and cultural enrichment through music. These programs include a variety of interactive concerts both in and out of the concert hall with large and small ensembles.
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ANNUAL YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS
The annual Young People’s Concert (YPC) brings together students to gain valuable exposure to elements of musical styles and eras. This season, our audience includes invited students to attend virtually from all public schools, private schools, and home schools in Southwest Missouri. Our Young People’s Concert is specifically designed to be an in-depth learning experience. Teachers and chaperones may register their students for our first virtual YPC at www.springfieldmosymphony.org/young-peoples-concerts. Before the performance, the teachers discuss important elements of the musical experience with each class enabling them to integrate the concert experience into the students’ curriculum. Our Young People’s Concert will be released virtually on January 26, 2021. The music is interspersed with entertaining facts about each composition and musical instrumentation is explained, as are differences in musical styles.
ENSEMBLES-IN-SCHOOLS PROGRAM
The Ensembles-in-Schools program allows small groups of Springfield Symphony musicians to travel to area elementary and middle schools to perform for the students. Each small ensemble presents a 30-minute program for up to 200 students at each school. Our program is designed to heighten awareness of the many varieties of musical styles, explain why different musical instruments create different sounds, and to demonstrate how music expresses emotions and creates beauty. A question-and-answer session follows each performance allowing the young students to learn from the musicians. The overall experience creates a more rewarding educational experience for the student attendees. Modifications may be made due to COVID guidelines.
MUSGRAVE COMMUNITY BALCONY/ STUDENTS AT THE SYMPHONY
balcony is designated for every concert to youth or underserved people in the community, free of charge, in collaboration with area nonprofits and schools. This will provide 3,033 (337 per concert) people the chance to see the Symphony for free.
HELLAM YOUNG ARTISTS’ COMPETITION
The 24th Annual Hellam Young Artists’ Competition was held virtually on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The Competition is open to musicians 18-26 years of age who are currently enrolled in undergraduate studies in colleges and universities or in music conservatories. It was founded by Dr. Duane and Judy Hellam, and is directed and partially underwritten by Judy Hellam. Its purpose is to provide a valid professional evaluation of performance art by young virtuosi in a competitive setting. In addition, private conferences and discussions with jurors are available to any and all competitors at their request following performances. Competitions such as this, held in many venues nationally, provide important elements of the Curricula vitae of these young virtuosi. The efforts of the Competition are sustained by contributions from underwriters, business sponsors, host families and volunteers.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND
This fund enables small ensembles and groups of Symphony musicians to perform at various charitable and community-oriented events throughout the city. Examples include a performance for a CoxHealth event that benefits the Boys and Girls Club, the Springfield Business Journal Economic Impact Awards, the Leadership Springfield Breakfast, the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s Ozzie Awards, and the Springfield News-Leader’s Salute to Nurses. With this fund, the Symphony hopes to spread the joy of music throughout the community, furthering its mission: to provide the people of Southwest Missouri with the highest level of symphonic music and music education.
MUSICIANS’ INITIATIVE FUND
Overseen entirely by musicians of the Springfield Symphony, this fund was developed to encourage members of the orchestra to create new programs and ways of furthering the orchestra’s community and outreach goals. Furthermore, it gives individual musicians the opportunity to identify and address music-related needs within the community on a far more personal level, for example, providing instruments or new strings for music students who may not have access to them.
