2021: Our First EVER Virtual Youth Concert Program

Launched in April, 2021

Free Program:

Thanks to the generosity of many foundations, sponsors, and individuals, participation in the annual KSO Youth Concert program is free of charge to schools. (Value: $7 per student!)

About the Program:
Gathering restrictions sparked creativity as we collaborated with KPS music teachers to reimagine the annual Youth Concert program for virtual learing. 

The result was an exciting, lively, digital package of six inclusive Youth Concert episodes that reflect some of our community's diversity. The episodes highlight the orchestra, as well as string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments through performance videos, lessons, and activities. These digital Youth Concerts even reached youth outside of Kalamazoo, as far north as Canada!  

If you think of organizations or individuals that might enjoy sharing this content with young people, please contact us at info@kalamazoosymphony.com.

About Youth Concerts 
The KSO's flagship Youth Concert program provides orchestra performances and education materials to more than 11,000 students from approximately 100 public, private, and home schools annually. The work is supported by individual and organization donations, funds, and grants, including major Youth Concert support from the Burdick-Thorne Foundation, the Diane S. Robertson Foundation, and the Tyler-Little Foundation. Thank you!

Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge several people in particular for their work to bring the program ideas to life: KSO Resident Conductor Daniel Brier for his ingenuity and flexibility in designing the content; Ben Gulley of The Gulley Studio for his excellent and creative video production work; Rufus Ferguson, KSO Education Manager, for leading the charge on bringing this new experience to the schools; and our mini-design team of KPS Music Teachers Carrie Cook and Jeanna Cervantes-Hickman, who designed the Google Slides presentation for us this year in a digital format that is familiar to teachers.