The Allentown Symphony Association offers inspiring music education & community engagement options for all members of our community, with a wide range of programming that includes early music education, performances for youth and families, a national string competition and even a New Music Series!
EL SISTEMA LEHIGH VALLEY (ESLV) is an innovative education and social initiative that provides opportunities for personal development to children through the study of music. It is part of a global El Sistema movement that is based on a tested model of how a music program can dramatically change the life trajectory of at-risk children. To assure accessibility to all students, enrollment in the program and use of an instrument are free. ESLV provides daily instrumental instruction, choir instruction, and homework tutoring to over 100 Allentown area students in Kindergarten through 12thGrade. A team of five-part time Teaching Artists and one full-time Program Manager implement this after-school program at Roosevelt Elementary School and Raub Middle School, where they serve students from over a dozen other Lehigh Valley schools.
YOUTH AND FAMILY CONCERT SERIES is an educational and didactic series of concerts performed by the ASO and specially designed for school-age students and their families. Over 3,000 students attend these performances each year, with concerts held during school days and an additional Saturday afternoon show. Each season, the concert’s theme varies, but it’s always accompanied by pre- and post-performance lessons and activities both in the classroom and at Miller Symphony Hall. The ASA provides special pricing to schools to ensure that every child has an opportunity to experience the splendor of Miller Symphony Hall and the excellence of the ASO.
YOUNG MUSICIAN STRING FESTIVAL brings together young musicians (ages 10-15) from across the Lehigh Valley to rehearse and perform on stage at Miller Symphony Hall under the baton of Maestro Diane Wittry. The festival includes two 3-hour long section rehearsals with professional musicians from the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, and two 3-hour full orchestra rehearsals conducted by Diane Wittry. Each season, the festival’s repertoire is based on the pieces performed by the ASO during its classical season.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO is a traveling collection of musical instruments! Children can play a violin, a flute, a clarinet or even a tuba, while learning how to properly hold them, find out which instrument family they belong to and even learn how to create a better sound. After all, the ability to make music and sound is found in all of us.
MASTERCLASSES feature an opportunity for local students to meet and learn from world-class touring artists who perform along with the ASO at Miller Symphony Hall. These masterclasses are offered to students and general audiences in schools and community centers within the Lehigh Valley. Guest artists interact with these students and share their suggestions to improve their performance skills, and perform or showcase their abilities to the audience.
MEET THE ARTIST PRE-CONCERT TALKS are an opportunity to meet the acclaimed guest soloists who perform with the Orchestra. Guest artists often show off their techniques and participate in lively discussions with Music Director Diane Wittry that cover the concert repertoire. This program is free and open to the public. Audience members are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. The talk begins at 12 noon and ends promptly at 1 PM. No reservations are necessary.
COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM The Composer-in-Residence Program is a multifaceted two-year project that began in the ASO 2020-2021 season. It includes performances, education, and outreach components. The ASA chose Chris Rogerson after an election committee of composers from community partners participated in a national search. Rogerson has since worked closely with Music Director Diane Wittry in a process that includes public presentations, a commission for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, a summer workshop for composers, and a New Music Series.
NEW MUSIC SERIES – CHAMBER MUSIC As part of our brand-new Composer in Residence Program, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is proud to present its New Music Series - Chamber Music. The series includes 3 themes, with 3 different performances, highlighting works written by local and regional composers with 3 different instrumentations. The first performance, focusing on “Music & Poetry,” took place in April 2021. Upcoming performances are November 2nd, 2021, featuring the subject of “Arts & Visuals”, and April 5th, 2022, featuring “Food and Flavors.”
CITY ARTS CAMP introduces students to a variety of visual and performing arts disciplines at a week-long summer session. More than one-third of students receive scholarships. Partners include the Allentown Art Museum, Allentown Symphony Association, Baum School of Art, Civic Theatre of Allentown, Community Music School, and Repertory Dance Theatre.
THE SCHADT NATIONAL STRING COMPETITION is a biennial, national solo string competition for musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 who are poised for solo careers. The competition alternates between Violin and Cello every other year. The First Prize includes a cash award of $12,000, including a solo concert engagement with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra during the season following each competition, as well as scheduled recitals, Masterclasses, and community outreach throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Established by Allentown businessmen and brothers for whom it was named, The Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt Trust provides funding for the Allentown Symphony Association to host the Schadt String Competition and the Schadt Summer String Scholarships.
SCHADT SUMMER STRING SCHOLARSHIPS provide summer music camp scholarships from $50-$500 to young string players of merit under age 18 from Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Berks, Carbon, or Monroe counties in Pennsylvania, or from Warren County in New Jersey. The competition is held annually in April.
If you are interested in learning more about how your student(s) might be able to participate in ASA education programs, please contact Norma Nuñez-Ruch, Education Director, education@allentownsymphony.org. For more information on supporting the EITC-eligible youth education programs, please call the Development office at 610-432-7961 x207.
