Elementary School
KSO offers a variety of programs to support the general music curriculum through live, professional performances and class visits. Many of our programs are free of charge to schools. Register today to bring professional orchestra musicians into your curriculum!
KSO Partner Schools
An arts-integration and residency program serving selected schools in the greater Kalamazoo area. The program includes lesson plans that link music and art to concepts from the core curriculum. A KSO Artist-in-Residence adopts each school for the year, visiting individual classes to work with students to rehearse and perform works they have created as a class. The program encompasses a series of KSO programs, including KSO On The Go, Instrument Petting Zoo, and Youth Concerts, which are embedded in the yearly curriculum and enhanced by lessons with KSO artists. Partner schools are selected by application. Materials will be posted here when openings are available.
Youth Concert
These school-day concerts, attended annually by 13,000 students from 100 schools, explore masterworks of music in thematic concerts. Students learn about the music in advance using CD's and comprehensive curriculum materials designed by area music teachers. Free to all schools, and for 2021, we've refreshed the program for digital classrooms!
KSO On The Go
KSO ensembles take to the road to bring music into more than 75 schools in Kalamazoo and surrounding counties. This experience is free for schools!
Instrument Petting Zoo
Children handle and play many instruments of the orchestra through this nationally award-winning, hands-on traveling exhibit. Free to schools within 20 miles of Kalamazoo. (Small travel fee for out-of-town schools.)
Musician Classroom Visits
KSO musicians visit classrooms individually to introduce themselves, their instruments, and give students an "up-close" connection with great music. These visits are tailored to your teaching needs. Multiple visits can be scheduled for a sequential project designed in collaboration with the artist. $65 fee per visit, up to 3 classes.