Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Concerts
Docent Program
Music Ambassadors Program
Open Rehearsals
Symphony at School (S@S)

Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Concerts

Reservation form

Star Spangled Orchestra: The Sounds of Freedom in 1812
October 27, 2011 & March 14, 2012
10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Carpenter Theatre
Tickets are $5 (general admission) / $4 for Title 1 schools

The Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Education Concerts, held during the school day, engage young minds through exciting full-orchestra performances. These morning performances by the Richmond Symphony correlate with Virginia Standards of Learning. Participating schools receive student listening guides, a teacher guide and a study CD in advance of the performance. Inspiration for the 2011-12 Discovery Concert comes from the bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812, and the celebration of the writing of our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The concert will feature music written in and around 1812, including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Students will discover music that celebrates victory, music that is a reflection upon times of conflict, and music that heals and brings people together.

Both elementary and secondary students are invited to Discovery Concerts; age-appropriate performance guides help students and teachers get the most out of the concert experience. The concert at 11:30am on March 14 will be geared toward middle and high school students. This concert will feature the same great music and a more sophisticated presentation, though students of any age are welcome at all concerts. Concerts serve city, county, private and home-schooled students. Tickets are $5 (general admission); $4 for Title 1 schools.

When you send in your reservation for the Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Education Concerts, you may request an in-school visit by an RSO Docent. Working in partnership with local universities, undergraduate music majors are trained to introduce students to the orchestra and symphonic music. These free, 30-45 minute visits are designed to help students develop an appreciation for the concert repertoire and make the concert experience more meaningful. Map/Discovery registration form

Musical Ambassadors Program (MAP)

Reservation form

Five chamber ensembles of the Richmond Symphony perform over 100 concerts annually for approximately 30,000 school children in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan, New Kent and Richmond Public Schools as well as private and home schools. Performances for students of all ages are upbeat and informal. Programs are age-appropriate, last approximately 30 - 45 minutes, and relate to the theme of the Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Education Concert. Elementary school programs are most effective when presented to audiences of 300 students or less; same day, back-to-back ensemble performances at one location are available. MAP performances are offered to Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond Public Schools at no charge and are available to other districts, private and home school groups at affordable rates.

Richmond Symphony Strings (RSS) + 1 percussionist

Instrumentation: Violin (10), viola (3), cello (2), bass (2) plus percussion
Available for audiences in grades k-5

Woodwind Quartet (WW4)

Instrumentation: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Available for audiences in grades k-5

Woodwind Quintet (WW5)

Instrumentation: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn
Available for audiences in grades k-5

Brass Quintet (BQ) + 1 percussionist

Instrumentation: Trumpet (2); French horn, trombone, tuba plus percussion
Available for audiences in grades k-5

String Quintet (SQ)

Instrumentation: Violin (2), viola, cello, bass
Available for audiences in grades k-5; very limited performances available

Open Rehearsals for High School and College Students

Reservation form

This is your chance to see the Richmond Symphony at work in rehearsal in the Carpenter Theatre. Open Rehearsals give high school and college students and their teachers the opportunity to learn from Richmond Symphony musicians, guest artists and conductors. Students are invited to observe a complete (2 ½ hour) rehearsal; there will be a fifteen minute break approximately halfway through. Following the rehearsal, the conductor, guest artists and/or select members of the RSO may take questions from students.

Open Rehearsals are free of charge, but seating is limited. Reservations must be made in advance through the RSO Education Department. Attending students are expected to treat the open rehearsal as a learning event, listen to the symphony rehearsal actively and attentively; participating schools are encouraged to only bring students who are motivated and interested plus enough chaperones to ensure a positive experience. Reservations should be made no later than two weeks before rehearsal date. Please indicate a first and second choice when making a reservation.

Please note that rehearsal orders for each date are determined by the conductor and subject to last-minute changes; the rehearsal you will be attending may not include all of the repertoire and/or soloists listed. For a list of available open rehearsal reservation dates and programs, please see page five.

Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Friday, November 11, 7:30-10pm
Steven Smith, conductor / Anton Nel, piano / Richmond Symphony Chorus

Piazzolla & Rodrigo
Friday, January 13, 10am-12:30pm
Steven Smith, conductor / Jason Vieaux, guitar

Grieg & Sibelius
Friday, February 3, 7:30-10pm
Danail Rachev, conductor / Katherine Chi, piano

Brahms Symphony No. 4
Thursday, April 12, 7:30-10pm
Steven Smith, conductor / Brendon Elliott, violin

Symphony @ School connects the Richmond Symphony (RSO) with three local middle schools; musicians, students, teachers & families come together to increase skills, participation & passion for music.

Symphony @ School began in the fall of 2008. The program is a result of conversations between the Richmond Symphony, local music teachers and Richmond Public School administrators. Orchestra students at Binford, Albert Hill and Brookland Middle Schools meet regularly with RSO artist-teachers to receive instruction on their instrument.

Symphony @ School students will perform side-by-side with the Richmond Symphony on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. This is a ticketed event; please call the box office at 788-1212 for additional ticket information.