Community Engagement
MSO EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS AT-A-GLANCE
“Tell me, and I will forget.
Show me, and I may remember.
Involve me, and I will understand.” – Confucius (450 B.C.)
The MSO believes in the transforming experience of live music. We are always searching for new paths to create innovative music education programs for people of all ages, races and backgrounds. MSO partners with a number of private and public school systems to bring the life-changing gift of live symphonic music to over 22,000 students annually. In addition, we offer a variety of other programs. Your support of these partnerships and programs is invited and extremely important. Our education initiatives are made possible, in part, by a generous gift from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, and by the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation.
Our Education Mission:
To cultivate an enthusiasm for music in children and adults by increasing access to live music presented by MSO, and to engage students’ learning experience in music through our strings program.
MSO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
School Initiatives:
Jackson Public Schools:
MSO’s staff of 8 teachers bring string instruction to 800 students across the system. In addition, the orchestra performs 8 full orchestra concerts reaching all elementary students (6 in middle schools for lower elementary and 2 in Thalia Mara Hall for upper elementary). Our Woodwind Quartet, Brass Quartet and String Quartet perform over 80 programs called Informances for upper elementary students annually, reaching selected elementary schools. Additional interface for the program is provided by the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation.
Clinton Public Schools:
MSO teaches 100 string students annually in the system.
Hinds County Public Schools:
MSO has approximately 400 students in a new string instruction program with the school system, ranging from elementary to middle school.
Vicksburg-Warren Public Schools:
Four Seasons funds 2 annual orchestra education concerts for 1,500 students.
Our school initiatives also include ensemble Informance visits to such cities as Pascagoula, Laurel and Canton, and 2 full orchestra education concerts in Vicksburg.
Student Tickets:
We make $5 tickets available for most of our concerts. For those who cannot afford them, we offer occasional free tickets via gracious partnerships with several individuals and corporations. Tickets are regularly made available to such places as Mustard Seed, Piney Woods, Magnolia Speech, and MS Schools for the Blind and Deaf.
College Programs:
Student interface programs with Mississippi College, Millsaps College, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center range from student ticket programs, to guest artist masterclasses and school choral participation in MSO concerts.
Composer’s Forum:
In partnership with the Mississippi Museum of Art, MSO offers college students in the composition departments at Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi College the opportunity to hear the orchestra read and react constructively to their new compositions, affording the students an incomparable education experience. MSO also provides small ensembles twice a year for the composition department at Mississippi College, so that students may hear the Chamber works they have composed.
MSO Strings Program:
Our goal is to develop interest in playing string instruments on the part of young people at elementary and middle schools. Programs exist in a number of school systems throughout the metro area, with close to 1,000 string students in 2019-2020.
MSO prints informative and creative notes about each of the major works being performed on the Selby and Richard McRae Foundation Bravo series within the evening’s program book. Music Director Crafton Beck often speaks from the stage about the music MSO is performing. *Free pre-concert lectures are made available in collaboration with community musicians, and Dr. Timothy Coker at 6:45pm on the mezzanine level prior to Bravo concerts. (*Cancelled in the 20/21 season due to covid).
FESTIVALS, WORKSHOPS AND COMPETITIONS
PREMIER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE (POI):
Other initiatives include MSO’s celebrated week-long summer string camp for elementary through college-age serves many students from the metro, state and region (including beyond Mississippi and from South America). Faculty from all over the country teach campers in several age-appropriate ensembles, and through masterclasses and recitals. A scholarship group is also formed from our most talented young Jackson Public Schools students. Camp is held on the Millsaps College campus.
SEE ALL THE DETAILS ON OUR POI SITE AND CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK!
MISSISSIPPI YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (MYSO)
Alex Encinas, MSO Director of Education, Artistic Director & Conductor
Camilla Patino, Conductor
We are the premier training ensemble for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, providing the youth of Mississippi with an authentic orchestral experience under the guidance of professional musicians in a stimulating atmosphere of mutual learning and respectful cooperation. Performances are held throughout the year. MYSO is housed on the Millsaps College campus at the Gertrude Ford Academic Complex – part of an expanded partnership between the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the College.
MYSO consists of four string groups, with more experienced musicians playing in Philharmonia (conducted by Alex Encinas), while our younger musicians play in Jubilante and Sinfonietta. Rehearsals take place on Saturday mornings, and include extensive sectionals and coaching with professional musicians of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
LEARN ALL ABOUT THE MYSO PROGRAMS and HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE AT: MYSOMS.ORG
You will find contact & schedule information, tuition, blogs, videos and more involving our outstanding young musicians.
AND, CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK!