Young People's Concerts Acquaint 2,500+ Students With The Symphony

NEW HAVEN, CT — Thousands of students will be turned on to a symphony when the New Haven Symphony Orchestra presents Young People's Concerts at Southern CT State University Sunday and Tuesday, March 26. Sunday's performance will feature a unique instrument “Petting Zoo.”

Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II, he noted that young people will experience the "Thrill of the Orchestra."

“We're thrilled to introduce the orchestra to our young listeners and showcase the amazing talents of our musicians. Education is a core value and mission of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and we're excited to explore the four families of instruments with everyone through these performances," Tipton said. "You'll get to hear the unique sounds and characteristics of each instrument, and we'll bring everything together with an exciting piece called The Thrill of the Orchestra. This piece will vividly illustrate the instruments and how they're played. We're eagerly looking forward to having you join us for these amazing concerts.”

The first performance will be Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at the John C. Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern. Families can register online by visiting NewHavenSymphony.org or calling (203) 693-1486 Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., the two performances, also at the Lyman Center, are designed for student groups to attend together on a field trip. Interested schools can learn more about the field trip, curriculum, and pricing by emailing Engagement@NewHavenSymphony.org.

With musical selections including as Montgomery’s Starburst and Bernstein’s “Mambo” from West Side Story, this program touches on a wide range of diverse American music. The concert will also feature videos and images projected above the orchestra as the pieces are played.

And about that 'Instrument Petting Zoo:'

After the Sunday, March 24 performance, the orchestra’s musicians will lead an instrument “petting zoo.” This unique and interactive experience allows children to touch, feel, and play a variety of instruments under the guidance of trained professional musicians from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

About the New Haven Symphony Orchestra

The fourth-oldest orchestra in America, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s exceptional and accessible performances and education programs reach more than 40,000 audience members and 20,000 students each year. Innovative programming and a dedication to the commission of new works inspires deeper audience engagement and meaningful artistic and educational collaborations. Through the nationally-acclaimed Harmony Fellowship program, as well as numerous award-winning education and community engagement programs, the Symphony strives to be a leader for racial equity in the arts. To learn more about the NHSO, visit NewHavenSymphony.org.

The Young People’s Concerts are sponsored by Bartels Trust for Public Education, the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, and Southern CT State University.