Chicago Symphony Orchestra Helps Children Cultivate Classical Music Appreciation – NBC Chicago

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s CSO for Kids program offers different ways to encourage students to explore the rich tradition of orchestral music.

One of them is to organize shows dedicated specifically to school-aged children. The CSO recently hosted its first school concert at the Symphony Center and invited students from 40 different Chicago public schools to attend.

Patricia Mueller, a music teacher at Haugan Public School in Albany Park, is a big fan of the event. She brought 100 students and says an exhibit like this will encourage them to seek out more classical music concerts,

“Experiences like this are invaluable. To see and hear a live concert, a classical orchestra, one of the best, in a large space. There’s nothing like it,” she said.

Timothy Maynie, a music teacher at Medgar Evers Elementary School in Washington Heights, brought 119 students to the school’s CSO concert.

“Unfortunately, our children tend not to be exposed to as much as our city has to offer. My goal has really been to inspire music lovers forever, and I think that’s what we’re achieving with our partnership. with CSO,” he said.

The CSO provides free tickets and bus transportation to CPS students to attend concerts.

Katy Clusen, CSO’s Senior Director of School and Family Programs, enjoys hosting students at the Symphony Center.

“There are kids pretending to be conductors, there are kids pretending to play the violin, and that to me shows how much this music speaks to their souls,” he said. she declared.

In addition to school concerts, the CSO also offers Family Matinees and Once Upon a Symphony programs, which you can check out on their website.