Education Programs of the Minnesota Orchestra

The Minnesota Orchestral Association works to support and enhance music education in public and private schools, the homeschool community, other educational institutions throughout the region, and in our community at large. The Orchestra remains committed to making great music experiences accessible through education and outreach programs that reach 80,000 students and young people annually.

Funds raised at Crash the Ball will support the following programs:

PROGRAMS AT ORCHESTRA HALL

Young People's Concerts (YPs) (since 1911)
• Reach more than 52,000 students annually
• 28 concerts in 2009-10 with themes ranging from percussion music to the four seasons
• Donations help the Orchestra subsidize ticket prices, which are priced at $5-$6
• Concerts often feature guest performers from area performing arts organizations
• Comprehensive curriculum available online to all at no charge

UPbeat Metro (since 2004)
• Builds and maintains ongoing relationships with area school districts
• Design of each partnership unique to community
• An entire grade level attends a YP concert, musician/staff school visits, teacher training/ workshops, all-district performing arts festivals at Orchestra Hall, other Orchestra events in the community

Composer Institute (since 1995)
• Provides opportunities for up to nine young composers to participate in an intensive multi-day immersion into the world of a major American symphony orchestra
• Features public performance by the Orchestra of all composers' works at Orchestra Hall

PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY

Adopt-A-School (since 1990)
• Partners Orchestra musicians with 10 urban elementary schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul identified by each district as most in need of music programming
• Features musician visits throughout the school year; attendance at a YP concert; access to online concert curriculum
• Each partnership is unique to each participating school
• Designed to enhance — not replace — existing music program

Partnership with Greater Minnesota Communities
• Builds on successful residency model to nurture more in-depth relationships with participating communities
• Activities may include: small ensemble residency, master classes, school visits, community advocacy, full orchestra performance (in conjunction with State touring program), and professional development opportunities for arts educators
• The Orchestra is currently exploring a new partnership program to create a "festival week" of activities and programming, engaging both official and grass-roots leadership in the process of creating a week unique to a host community.

State Tour
• The Orchestra has undertaken regional tours almost since its founding in 1903, most recently to Jackson, Marshall, Willmar and Cokato in 2008.
• Variety of educational activities in tour cities throughout Minnesota include school visits, Young People's Concerts, and master classes
• State Tours take place in alternating years and include concerts in UPbeat Greater Minnesota communities

The ball's over, but you can still support the Education Programs of the Minnesota Orchestra. Donate now