The Diablo Symphony’s education and outreach program got off to a fantastic start in the 2014-2015 season. Its outreach event on October 4, 2014 was the DSO’s second annual Instrument Petting Zoo and Family Concert, sponsored by a generous grant from PG&E. Many young children came to try out strings, winds, brass, and percussion instruments at the petting zoo, and then attended the family concert where our musicians performed works by Bartók, Liadov, de Falla, and Ravel. As a final treat, our younger audience members were encouraged to conduct the orchestra in a performance of Strauss’ Thunder and Lightning Polka. One of our (older) audience members afterwards wrote to us:

My 5-year-old son Michael normally could not sit thru a concert. However, he thoroughly enjoyed the interactive family concert because he learned about the instruments played during Instrument Pet Zoo. Indeed, because of your outreach efforts, Michael will likely be a fan of symphony music when he grows up. I hope you continue this wonderful event next year. We will come.

In addition to the family concert, the season also introduced the DSO’s Music For The Schools program. Originally spearheaded by Rosemarie Krovoza and Tim Meals, this program brings orchestra members into schools to give live performances and demonstrations of orchestral instruments in support of music education. The first “mini-concert” was presented at an assembly held at Westwood Elementary in Concord on October 24, 2014, with El Dorado Middle School 6th graders also in attendance. Ten musicians from the Diablo Symphony talked about their instruments and performed works by Mouret and Mozart. Many children remained after the assembly to enthusiastically ask questions of the performers. Thank you to teachers Karen Ashford and Loretta McNulty for hosting this program at its beginnings!

Instrument Petting Zoo

Music for the Schools