| The Las Vegas Philharmonic is committed to providing the finest possible programs to enrich and inspire school-age children. We strongly feel that music is essential to the proper growth and well-being of all children, a belief that is increasingly supported by modern research. Our commitment to this belief has resulted in a two-pronged approach to educational outreach: Music In the Schools, which places LV Philharmonic musicians in schools for after-school programs; and the Sprint Youth Concert Series, which brings young people to the concert hall.
Music In the Schools
In cooperation with the Clark County School District and the 21 st Century Grant Programs, the Las Vegas Philharmonic has initiated several programs to take music directly to at-risk schools. A gala concert of the entire orchestra was given at the new Desert Pines High School, followed by several weeks of after-school programs utilizing woodwind, string, and brass members of the Philharmonic. These programs were presented at several schools, including Roy Martin Middle School, and Sunrise Acres Elementary School. Organized and directed by LV Phil violinist Blair Jackson, these programs were designed to introduce students to the various instruments of the orchestra and the sounds they produce when played together. In addition, an ongoing Suzuki string program was initiated by the LV Philharmonic in Sunrise Acres Elementary School, with the hope that other schools will bee added to the program in the near future.
Sprint Youth Concert Series
Currently in its fifth year, the Las Vegas Philharmonic Sprint Youth Concert Series is an effort to bring as many fourth and fifth grade students as possible to the concert hall to experience a full symphony orchestra in a concert setting. Programs specifically designed for children of this age group have been developed by Dr. Richard McGee, Associate Conductor and Educational Coordinator. The overall purposes of the Sprint Youth Concert Series are:
Energize the students in attendance, to encourage them to further pursue musical studies.
Educate the students about orchestral music and musicians.
Highlight careers in the entertainment field.
Engage at-risk youth in schools so designated, in an uplifting program of music and dialogue targeted at their tastes.
In addition, opportunities for older students to perform solo literature with the orchestra are provided through the LV Philharmonic Young Artists' Competition. This annual competition allows for the selection of a number of talented students to perform with the orchestra during the Youth Concert Series. |
