Educational Programs
Educational Concerts
Prelude Concerts and Young People’s Concerts bring children to Jacoby Symphony Hall to experience live symphonic music as a catalyst for enhancing academic performance and fostering creativity and social development. The programs feature works especially selected for students in Grades 2 & 3 and Grades 4 & 5, and encourage the students to listen, analyze and creatively describe music. Teachers’ Guides and companion audio CDs outline suggested activities for pre- and post-concert lessons including cross curricular activities. The Teachers’ Guides incorporate curriculum based concepts from Sunshine State Standards, a nationally recognized curriculum initiative used in Florida.
Attendance at these concerts should be considered as early as possible. Tickets are $5 per student with one chaperone free for every 10 paid students.
If your class would like to attend one of these concerts please download and fill out the CONCERT REQUEST FORM and return to Tony Kamnikar, Education and Community Programs Manager - email tkamnikar@jaxsymphony.org
2012-2013 Prelude Concerts - For students in grades 2 & 3
Duval County programs sponsored by Duval County Public Schools
Prelude Concerts are educational and entertaining and introduce young listeners to classical music, the instruments of the Symphony Orchestra and to the live concert experience. In "Major/Minor Mystery," Join Dr. Bechanstein as he tries to find out which musician changed the major to minor. It will be spooktacular.
"Major/Minor Mystery"
Oct. 24, 10:00am & 11:30am
Oct. 25, 10:00am & 11:30am
Duval County Public Schools are free, reservations required.
All other schools: tickets are $5. Reservation forms online.
2012-2013 Young People's Concerts - For students in grades 4 & 5
Duval County programs sponsored by Target and Duval County Public Schools
"The Orchestra Moves" -- Composers create musical movement using motifs, melodic direction, steps and leaps, dynamics, and orchestration. Your challenge is to discover ways you think the orchestra moves. Each student is provided with their own workbook and attends the interactive, culminating concert where they sing or play the recorder with the orchestra. Curriculum is from Link Up, a program of the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.
"The Orchestra Moves"
April 30, 10:00am & 11:30am
May 1, 10:00am & 11:30am
May 2, 10:00am & 11:30am
May 3, 10:00am & 11:30am
May 7, 10:00am & 11:30am
Duval County Public Schools are free, reservations required.
All other schools: tickets are $5. Reservation forms online.
Home School tickets may be purchased online for 5/1/13 performance.
Educational Ensembles
Duval County programs sponsored by Target and Duval County Public Schools
Clay County programs sponsored by bestbet
Jacksonville Symphony musicians visit local elementary and middle schools and after-school programs. These in-school presentations include musical performances, instrument demonstrations, student participation and question & answer sessions. Although our performances are valued at $600 each, fees are negotiable. Performances are available in the morning or afternoon.
To request an Ensemble Concert, download and fill out the ENSEMBLE REQUEST FORM and return to Tony Kamnikar, Education and Community Programs Manager - email tkamnikar@jaxsymphony.org
Available Ensemble Dates
October 2, 2012 Tuesday 9:00am
October 3, 2012 Wednesday 9:00am
October 23, 2012 Tuesday 9:00am
October 24, 2012 Wednesday 3:00pm
October 25, 2012 Thursday 3:00pm
October 30, 2012 Tuesday 9:00am or 3:00pm
October 31, 2012 Wednesday 9:00am
November 27, 2012 Tuesday 9:00am
January 15, 2013 Tuesday 9:00am
January 22, 2013 Tuesday 9:00am
January 23, 2013 Wednesday 9:00am
January 29, 2013 Tuesday 9:00am or 3:00pm
January 30, 2013 Wednesday 9:00am
March 5, 2013 Tuesday 9:00am or 3:00pm
April 9, 2013 Tuesday 9:00am or 3:00pm
April 30, 2013 Tuesday 3:00pm
First Coast Nutcracker
Through the combination of Tchaikovsky’s engaging music played Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra illustrated with lively choreography, noted guest artists, beautiful costumes and fabulous sets contribute to a grand introduction to classical music and dance for young people and quality entertainment for adults. Four full-length performances will be offered in the Moran Theater on December 14, 15 and 16.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here to visit J SYM Patron Services or contact by phone at 904.354.5547.
First Coast Nutcracker Educational Performances
Dec. 13, 9:45am & 11:15am
Dec. 14, 9:45am & 11:15am
Students may attend a performance of the first act of the ballet at 9:45am ($6), the second act at 11:15am ($6) or both acts ($10). For reservations, email lholmes@jaxsymphony.org or call 904-354-4092. Reservation forms are available online at www.firstcoastnutcracker.com. First Coast Nutcracker educational performances will be held in the Moran Theatre of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.
TEACHERS: For Educational performance of First Coast Nutcracker, click to FirstCoastNutcracker.com for reservations and information.
Master Classes with Guest Soloists
The Jacksonville Symphony presents public master classes by world renowned artists free of charge. Visiting guest artists work with local music students in a master class format. To participate, call (904) 354-5657.
2012-2013 Master Classes - DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Jump Start Strings is a music education program offering an opportunity for more than 100 elementary students to learn and play violin in three after school programs run by Communities in Schools (CIS). JSO musicians provide instruction one day per week and CIS programs assistants supervise two practice days at Woodland Acres, Pickett and Reynolds Lane Elementary schools. The children can continue their violin instruction during the summer if they attend the summer camp at one of the three schools.
If you are interested in participating in this program please contact Peggy Toussant, Jump Start Strings Coordinator, at 904-354-5479 ext. 286 or by email at ptoussant@jaxsymphony.org.
Sound Check Cards
The Sound Check Card is the student pass to the Jacksonville Symphony. For $25, the Sound Check Card offers student age 25 and under access to Masterworks, Friday Fusion and Coffee concerts for an entire season. Parents are in the club, too, and can attend with their child for $10. To purchase Sound Check, visit the JSO Box Office or contact by phone at 904-354-5547.
Student Rush Tickets
Students can purchase $10 rush tickets an hour and half before any Masterworks, Fusion or Coffee concert for $10. Rush tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis and are subject to availability. Students MUST present a valid student ID at the JSO Box Office to purchase tickets. One ticket per person.
Instrument Zoo
The Instrument Zoo is an outreach program provided by volunteers from the Jacksonville Symphony Guild, who visit schools and demonstrate how musical sounds are created. Children have a direct, hand-on experience of trying out a full array of orchestral instruments (strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion) brought by the volunteers. Additionally, the Instrument Zoo is featured in the lobby during the EverBank Family Series pre-concert activities. For information about the Guild's Instrument Zoo, email hansonj68@gmail.com.
Harmony Grants
The Guild of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra recognizes the value and importance of music education in our public schools. To that end, they proudly sponsor the Harmony Grants program to provide funding to public schools in four northeast Florida counties (Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau) to enhance their music education programs.
Click here for complete information and application
Teacher Ticket Discounts
Teachers receive a 50% discount through J SYM Patron Services for Masterworks, Fusion and Coffee Concerts. One ticket per teacher. Check for availability by calling 904.354.5547.