The musicians in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra are busier than you might imagine. You see them at the Masterworks concerts and the SuperPOPS! Series. You may have even joined us at one of the breweries or the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this summer. But where you may never have seen this world-class orchestra in action is at an education concert. 

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra serves schools in the Birmingham metro area and surrounding counties. These concerts are often the only orchestral music experience many children will have. 

Recently, at a corporate event, numerous adults over 40 stopped by our table to share their memories of attending orchestra concerts when they were kids in elementary school. The thing that happened in every one of those conversations was a big smile that came across their faces. Positive memories stick with us and make an impression. ASO chose to invest in the youth of the state many years ago and still does. 

Unfortunately, there are still schools in Alabama that do not have funding for music education. When ASO brings students on buses to these concerts, it is a life experience like none other they receive in school. In October, ASO had 1,976 students attend a new hip-hop educational concert featuring Shaheed & DJ Supreme. All of these tickets were provided free to schools. Thirty-seven schools and homeschool groups were served, 13 of which were identified as Title 1. In October, we also partnered with Birmingham Children’s Theater for a special production of Peter and the Wolf. Over the course of six concerts, 2,944 students enjoyed the performing arts through music and theater. 

In addition to these concerts, ASO musicians provide music education in schools as visiting educators. Some schools have arranged partnerships for the school year, and others have planned visits that enhance the established programs. Already this year, Sarah Dennis, first violin, saw I3’s 4th and 5th grade classes with approximately 70 students. Bram Margoles, first violin, will visit the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades totaling about 95 students. Multiple Birmingham City Schools will be visited by our chamber INSPIRE groups during the month of November. 

In early November, ASO will launch a new education concert with a theme of science experiments. Currently, over 2,700 students are registered. These groups include special relationships with ArtsRevive, which will bring Selma and Dallas County students to the symphony! We have also been able to provide busing and tickets for this concert for a group from I3 Academy. 

These musicians are busy giving back to the community and to our state’s education system. So next time you see them in the concert hall, how about a second applause for all the ways they are impacting the state of Alabama’s youth? 

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