Adults / Youth Orchestra / Arts Partners / Guild / Teachers

More Than Music - The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Educational Outreach Programs

As the foremost arts organization in the state, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra understands that it is our responsibility to help shape the future of our children. An essential component in the ASO's mission is to encourage music education and strengthen ties with the communities of Arkansas.

ASO Arts Partners

The ASO Arts Partner string quartets perform "demos" for elementary school children ages 3rd-8th grade. These theme-based demos from 30-45 minutes teach basic musical ideas that enhance and augment Arkansas’ music curriculum framework. Children learn to identify connections between music and the other arts, music from various periods, composers and cultures, and learn first hand about the basic elements of music: tempo, dynamics, pitch and rhythm.

Demo Themes for the 2008/2009 Schoolyear

“Mood Music”

How does music make you feel? Happy? Sad? Scared? Proud? Angry? Act out what feelings you hear in the music with the quartet. They’ll turn your classroom into a theatre!

“Music at the Movies”

Think of your favorite scene from your favorite movie. Can you remember the music? Movie music heightens the action on the screen. Work with the quartet to figure out which music fits with what scenes.

“Picturing Music”

At first, you might say- you look at pictures with your eyes. You listen to music with your ears. Music and pictures are nothing alike! But the quartet will show you how they ARE alike. They will take you on a journey through time, and you can see and hear how music and art have influenced each other over the centuries.

“Papa Haydn”

Haydn loved writing music for string quartets. The quartet will tell you how he made the music interesting using theme and variations, different keys, and depiction of people and animals. Let the quartet tell you about why Haydn was the Father of the String Quartet, and why musicians all over the world still call him “Papa Haydn.”

“Images of America”

What images come to your mind when you think of America? Maybe it’s cowboys, or Native Americans, or a rodeo. Learn how different composers from all over the world have put America in their music.

For more information, contact Crystal Wallis at personnelaso@arkansassymphony.org, or 501-666-1761 ext. 118.

Hands On

Children can touch and play real stringed instruments with guidance from the Arts Partners. Petting Zoos can be individual presentations or done in conjunction with the demos. The Petting Zoo is a fantastic way for a child to experience what it is like to be a musician. In most cases, this is the first opportunity a child has had to see, touch and play these instruments.

Cost for school demos is kept to an absolute minimum allowing the ASO to reach out with the arts to underserved and unserved communities.

30 minute Demo in Pulaski County - $70.00

30 minute demo outside of Pulaski County - $90.00 (plus mileage)

Mileage for 2008-2009 - $0.25 per mile

15 minute Petting Zoo - $25

String Teaching

The ASO is particularly proud of our partnerships with schools in the Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Cabot and Hot Springs School districts establishing a resident string instructor in an after-school program one day a week. Students learn the basics of playing a stringed instrument and reading music and perform in a spring recital at the end of the school year. Classes taught are focused on violin, viola, cello and double bass.

With balanced class sizes, high-level instruction and inexpensive instrument rentals the ASO String Residencies have been among the most popular with schools and students alike.

Programs for High School and Civic Groups

Bring the Arts Partners or the Quapaw Quartet to your high school or commuity group. A quartet alone, or in combination with other quartets, can perform for larger audiences in a chamber recital or an informance (a more interactive presentation designed to be appealing to older students and adults). These small ensembles of the ASO are in demand throughout the state and are eager to introduce the magic of classical music to all Arkansans.

The ASO is very proud of our specifically tailored residencies (a multi-visit program). We can help you design a residency in a manner that is appropriate to your group’s learning environment and background.

Student Rush Ticket Program

Providing the most valuable enhancement to every student’s musical education, the ASO offers $6 tickets to any Masterworks or Chamber concert to any student presenting proper identification. These seats are, many times, the best seats in the house!