Class Act
Seattle Symphony offers a variety of concerts and programs that help teachers and students to build a strong arts vocabulary, respond to the arts, understand the relationship of music to science and the humanities, and learn more about the world of work created through the arts. All programs are designed to align with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements [EALRs].
Download our Class Act offerings!
Concert Opportunities
Programs for Grades K–5
Programs for Grades 6 & Up
Programs for Teachers- Concerts for Clock Hours, Seattle Symphony in your Classroom and more! 15% Educator Discount!
Friday Matinees
Enjoy full-length concerts, plus a free, 30-minute Behind the Music concert preview especially designed for student audiences (one hour prior to all performances). Teachers will receive educational handouts including curriculum guides designed for grades 6 through 12 (Arts EALRs 1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.4). Teachers! Clock hours are available with Behind the Music attendance.
All concert performances begin at 12 noon. School groups receive special discount. See below for more information and how to order tickets.
Tickets are $8 per student with one free adult ticket per 10 students. Advance orders only. Annual Soundbridge school membership ($75) required. To order tickets, contact our Group Sales Manager at 206.215.4784 or groupsales@seattlesymphony.org.
Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Programs subject to change.
September 23, 2011
Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony
Frank Zappa: Dupree’s Paradise from The Perfect Stranger
Henri Dutilleux: The Tree of Dreams
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”
February 10, 2012
Pictures at an Exhibition
Stravinsky: Scherzo fantastique
Jolivet: Concertino for Trumpet
Haydn: Symphony No. 93
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
April 6, 2012
Schwarz Conducts Mahler’s First Symphony
Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491
Mahler: Symphony No. 1, “The Titan”
June 15, 2012
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3
Bernstein: Overture to Candide
Ives: Symphony No. 2
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3
Arts in Education
Free for Fifth Grade Students
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 10:30am and 12:15pm
Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 10:30am and 12:15pm
Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Registration begins in September 2011. This program satisfies EALRs 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4. Educator professional development opportunities available — including special workshop developed in conjunction with Arts in Education concerts!
For more information, contact Thomasina Adams, School Programs Manager and Arts Education Advocacy, at thomasina.adams@seattlesymphony.org or 206.336.6650.
TopOpen Rehearsals
Designed for Secondary School Students
In these working sessions, secondary school music students will observe professional rehearsal techniques — the ways in which the conductor and musicians bring the music to life! Students are given an introduction to the acoustics of the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium at Benaroya Hall, the requirements of the score, and information about the composers. During the Orchestra's break, a Symphony musician, conductor, composer or guest artist will meet with the students for a brief question-and-answer session (EALRs 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.3, 4.5).
Fee: First visit is complimentary with an annual Soundbridge school membership ($75); subsequent visits are $2 per student (capped at $75). Seattle Symphony does not cover transportation costs.
For more information, email thomasina.adams@seattlesymphony.org or call Thomasina Adams, School Programs Manager and Arts Education Advocacy, at 206.336.6650.
TopThe Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop
Free for Pre-College Students
This workshop is a 12-week series of two-hour classes led by Seattle Symphony Composer in Residence Samuel Jones, with visits from guest composers. Designed for pre-college musicians, students work on all aspects of composing, including writing themes, learning orchestration and preparing a final score with parts (EALRs 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3). Classes meet on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30pm in Soundbridge Seattle Symphony Music Discovery Center. The program begins in January and culminates on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, with a world premiere chamber concert featuring new works by these young composers. All pieces are performed by Seattle Symphony musicians.
For more information, please contact education@seattlesymphony.org or call 206.336.6650. Want to participate? Download an application.
TopGold Medalists
Free for Qualified Young Performing Artists
Gold Medalist performances provide an opportunity for your community to host Seattle Symphony. Local high school instrumentalists who have achieved outstanding levels of proficiency are invited to perform with the Symphony at these community events. The Gold Medalist program includes rehearsals at Benaroya Hall, coaching from Seattle Symphony musicians, a concert performance, and the presentation of a gold medal to the young artists. For more information, contact education@seattlesymphony.org or call 206.336.6650.
TopProfessional Development Opportunities for Educators
Seattle Symphony Wyckoff Masterworks Season Concerts for Clock Hours
Attend a Masterworks Season concert with a Pre-concert Talk one hour before the performance for 3 clock hours through the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA). Sign-in and registration information available at the Head Usher Station. Tickets from $17. For tickets, call the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at 206.215.4747 or order online at www.seattlesymphony.org.
15% Educator Discount! Simply say that you are a teacher when you call or visit our Ticket Office and you will receive a 15% discount on tickets to most Seattle Symphony performances, whether you are seeking clock hours or just want to enjoy a great concert.
Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. No adjustment for previous purchases
Seattle Opera — Seattle Symphony Teacher Workshop
Save the Date! Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 3pm to 5pm. Join us at McCaw Hall for a special workshop that will transform the opera and symphony into a curriculum resource! Gain insight on the wonderful educational offerings available to you and your students, and highlights of the concert season.
The two-hour workshop is free. To register for the workshop, please contact Thomasina Adams: thomasina.adams@seattlesymphony.org or 206.336.6650
Workshop participants are invited to attend the Experience Opera dress rehearsal of Bizet’s Carmen, which begins at 7 pm. Cost is $8 per person, with workshop registration. To reserve your seat, please contact Seneca Garber at seneca.garber@seattleopera.org or 206.676.5567 by Friday, October 7.
This program satisfies EALRs 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.4.
For more information, email education@seattlesymphony.org or call 206.215.4750.