The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is the state's premiere performing arts organization, serving an audience of more than 55,000 people from the Delaware Valley of all ages and backgrounds. Our educational offerings engage everyone from the first-time listener to the lifetime music lover.
During our season we present more than 40 classical, chamber and special concerts, plus numerous educational programs and activities. Each year, more than 10,000 students and teachers from kindergarten through college benefit from our in-school ensembles, Explorer Education Concerts, Collaborative Docent Program, DMEA/DSO Student Soloist Competition, Open Dress Rehearsals, discounted concert tickets and student rush tickets.
Other special programs include our Masterclasses, the Side by Side program, Educators Night, the Jessie Ball du Pont Educator Award and pre-performance conversations.
To sign up or comment on individual programs, please e-mail or call Lisa Vaupel at 302-656-7442 x 105.
Education Programs
In-School Ensemble Program
Get up close and personal with the musicians of the DSO! Students will be delighted by personal visits from musicians playing all the instruments of the orchestra. Not only will musicians spend time in the classroom, highlighting their instrument and describing the life of a performer, but the school will experience their own interactive concert! The In-School visits are culminated by a field trip to the Explorer Concerts.
Explorer Concerts
These fun-filled programs give children the opportunity to hear the power of the full orchestra and meet entertaining guest artists. These are concerts specifically designed for both K-3 and grades 4-8, to make sure that the material presented is relevant for the age group. Study guides written in accordance with state teaching standards are distributed to participating schools, ensuring that the concert experience is one the children will never forget.
Collaborative Docent Program
A joint effort between the DSO and the Wilmington Music School/Delaware Music School, this program brings a dynamic duo of musicians into the classroom. These musicians put on entertaining presentations and demonstrate the different families of instruments. Students really get a hands-on experience with this program! After being introduced to the different members of the orchestra, the schools attend Explorer Concerts to see all of the instruments in action.
Lollipop Family Concert
Lollipop concerts are truly fun for the whole family! Each Saturday concert is partially designed as an introduction to classical music, and includes pre-performance activities such as a musical petting zoo where kids can try out the instruments they'll see on stage. What a fun, affordable and easy way to spend an afternoon!
DMEA and DSO Student Soloist Competition
As part of the DSO’s ongoing partnership with the Delaware Music Educators Association, the winner of the DMEA All State Senior Soloist Competition is invited to rehearse and perform on stage with Maestro Amado and the professional musicians of the Orchestra. For more information, click here.
Sectionals and Side-by-Side Rehearsals
DSO musicians lead rehearsal sectionals with different student orchestras, and follow up with a Side-by-Side Rehearsal led by a professional conductor. There is no substitute for the experience of sitting next to a professional musician and hearing how they approach the music on the page!
Open Dress Rehearsals
High school and college students have the opportunity to attend Open Dress Rehearsals, where they are given an inside look at how Maestro Amado works with the orchestra to produce a concert of beautiful music. Open Dress Rehearsals begin at 7:00PM with a short lecture on what the students will be hearing over the next few hours.
Master Classes
The world-renowned guest artists of the DSO hold classes open to the public at the University of Delaware, Wilmington Music School, and West Chester University. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for students and adults to hear the insights from these soloists as they play for the audience and work with budding young talent.
Educators Night and The Jessie Ball du Pont Educators Award
Educators Night is an event that honors the members of the teaching profession at a Delaware Symphony Classical Series concert. Educators receive $12 discounted tickets to this performance, and a post-concert reception honors teachers in all fields. During the concert we present our annual Jessie Ball du Pont Educator Award, given to an individual who has made a significant impact in the field of music education. Download the 2010 Jessie Ball duPont Award and guidelines for nomination.
Discount Ticket Program
This program offers an opportunity for schools and districts to purchase deeply discounted tickets to our classical concert programs and receive the added benefit of visits by DSO musicians and a culminating visit from Maestro Amado.
Student Ticket and Student Rush
Additional discounted ticket opportunities are provided in order to promote student and family attendance at Delaware Symphony performances. Students 18 and under may buy tickets for $10 at any time (with student id). Rush student tickets are available to students over 18 (with student id), for $10 one half-hour before performances.
Pre-performance conversations
Musical insights are offered one hour prior (7:00PM) to our classical concert programs, presented by DSO Music Director David Amado and Director of Community Engagement Mark Mobley. These lectures give the audience an enlightened view of the music the DSO performs.
Community Engagement
The Delaware Symphony actively seeks collaborations and partnerships with local arts and other organizations, such as Delaware Music Educators Association, The University of Delaware, West Chester University, The Wilmington Music School, Kuumba Academy, the YMCA, The Academy of Life Long Learning and a multitude of schools, retirement facilities and local service organizations. For further information, please contact Margie Smigielski, margies@delawaresymphony.org, or 302-656-7442 x 100.
