School Concerts
For Students, Grades 2-8
Held on weekdays, Philadelphia Orchestra School Concerts are 45-minute programs open to school groups and homeschools throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area. For the 2009-10 school year, the Orchestra introduces a new, single-concert format created in collaboration with area music and classroom teachers, school administrators, and teaching artists. Join host Jamie Bernstein as she guides your students through an interactive performance designed to inspire, entertain, and educate.
Music Can Morph!: Folk Music in the Concert Hall
Embark on a musical adventure with your students and explore the use of folk music/folk songs in orchestral music from regions throughout the world. This year’s School Concert program, Music Can Morph!: Folk Music in the Concert Hall, takes listeners on a journey through Spain, Russia, China, and the United States and presents the works of composers who use native music and songs to capture the spirit of a particular nation or culture. The music on the program (listed below) provides teachers with an excellent opportunity to examine the ways music brings people together and creates community, often serving as the “fingerprint” of a culture.
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Smith “The Star-Spangled Banner” Falla “Dance of the Miller’s Wife (Fandango)” from The Three-Cornered Hat Glinka Kamarinskaya, fantasy for orchestra on two Russian folksongs Li Spring Festival Overture Copland Variations on a Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring Johnson “Lift Every Voice and Sing” |
Pick a date that works best for your schedule, and take advantage of our enhanced School Concert program and curriculum materials! Through the support of generous sponsors and donors, the Orchestra is able to offer School Concert tickets at a reasonable cost of $8.00 per person. Enhance your classroom preparation and instruction with the accompanying curriculum guide, Inside the Music, which provides detailed background information as well as lessons and activities connected to national and state content standards.
School Concert Dates for 2009-10
Friday, October 23, 2009, 12:15 PM – Verizon Hall
Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 10:30 AM and 12:15 PM – Verizon Hall
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 10:30 AM and 12:15 PM – The Academy of Music
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 10:30 AM (sold out) and 12:15 PM – Verizon Hall
Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 10:30 AM (sold out) and 12:15 PM – Verizon Hall
School Concerts are funded in part by the Billy Joel Fund for Music Education and grants from the Presser Foundation, the Rosenlund Family Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, and the Zisman Family Foundation.
The Wachovia Foundation is proud to be the Lead Underwriter of the “Raising the Invisible Curtain” initiative.
Supporting sponsorship for School Concerts is provided by
Get the most from your school concerts!
Inside the Music
Click here to download the 2009-10 School Concert Curriculum Guide, Inside the Music
Curriculum Materials: Inside the Music
The Philadelphia Orchestra School Concert program has been created as a meaningful learning experience for students, an enhancement to the existing classroom environment.
Our accompanying curriculum guide, Inside the Music, is designed to encourage you to explore musical concepts and ideas connected to the performance with your students. The guide contains lessons and activities that are aligned with national and state content standards for music as well as for disciplines outside the arts.
To enhance the curriculum guide, The Philadelphia Orchestra also provides teachers with an iTunes gift certificate with music from the concert to use in the classroom.
Inside the Music and the iTunes gift certificate are free of charge for school groups who purchase 25 tickets or more. Groups who purchase fewer than 25 tickets will be able to access an online version of the curriculum guide and should contact education@philorch.org for more information about accessing music from the concert on iTunes.
Teacher Workshops
Deepen your understanding of the music presented at the School Concert and investigate strategies for integrating orchestral music into your classroom. Earn professional development credit by attending this workshop in conjunction with the School Concert and completing other activities designed to promote continuing education for educators.
Click the “Professional Development” tab above for teacher workshop dates and more information about earning professional development credit.
We invite all educators to attend a teacher workshop, whether you’ve already planned your trip to the Orchestra or are simply interested in learning more about the Orchestra’s programs and educational resources.
Docent Program
Request a classroom visit from an Orchestra Docent to enhance the quality of your School Concert experience. These knowledgeable volunteers help prepare students to attend the concert with a presentation designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of the music, musicians, and the concert hall.
Docent visits are free of charge for school groups who purchase 25 tickets or more. Request a Docent presentation when ordering
your tickets or by sending an e-mail to education@philorch.org.
Additional Resources
Target offers Field Trip Grants of up to $1,000
