Teaching Science Through Music

From October to December, second graders at Rock Lake Elementary School and Grand Ave Primary Learning Center are working with Orlando Philharmonic musicians, as well as professional teaching artists from Orlando Museum of Art, Maitland Museum of Art, and the Orlando Repertory Theatre as part of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Symphonic Stories program. The residency uses music, theater, dance, and visual art to teach students about scientific concepts such as the seasons, weather, and the life cycles of plants and certain animals. The program is constantly hands-on, giving students the opportunity to create original vignettes based on their lessons. At the end of the program, students present what they’ve learned through a “Sharing Session,” presented for fellow students, parents, and teachers. Students work closely with teaching artists and musicians to create original works, with musicians providing the “soundtrack” for the student Sharing Session.

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Music Director finalist Alondra de la Parra’s Message to Orlando

In September, the Orlando Philharmonic welcomed Alondra de la Parra–first of five finalists in the orchestra’s  international Music Director search–for a week-long visit to Orlando. Over the week, Maestro de la Parra met with musicians, arts leaders, community members, staff, board and volunteers, presented an informance about Mahler’s first symphony, and led rehearsals in preparation … Read more