Inspiring a Lifetime of Learning and Music Exploration
Music is for everyone! The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Education and Community Engagement Programs are at the core of our mission. We seek to serve our community by supporting school and community music programs, engaging with our diverse community, and inspiring a lifetime of learning and love of music. We invite you to join us on a journey to enrich, engage and inspire!
Lisa Kjentvet Director of Education & Community Engagement
Keep up the great work! My students look forward to this concert every year.
– Music Educator
Love great music. Find it here.
Award-Winning Education & Community Engagement Programs
Madison Symphony Orchestra Education Programs bring the valuable experience of classical music to youth and adults in our community — both inside and outside of the concert hall. Our Community Engagement Programs connect with music lovers of all ages to offer the opportunity for more people to experience the joy and healing power of music.
Education Programs
Having the students experience live music with local musicians directly in the classroom and in our school is very valuable. They do a great job with the kids.
– Up Close & Musical partner
The MSO’s award-winning Education Programs reach thousands of young people each year. From concerts to competitions to master classes and more, our partnerships with local schools build the foundation for students to have a life-long relationship with music.
Up Close & Musical®
The MSO’s nationally recognized Up Close & Musical program has been bringing the power and beauty of classical music into elementary school classrooms since 1999! As teaching artists, the Hunt Quartet visits each partner school four times during the school year to conduct exciting and interactive lessons that send students on a hunt for the concepts of expression, melody, rhythm, and form. Each visit begins with individual classroom instruction and concludes with a mini-concert by the string quartet for all participating classrooms. At the end of the school year all partner schools attend the culminating Symphony Soup Concert to experience the full orchestra! The curriculum is guided by academic standards for music and is designed for students in grades K–3 throughout Dane County. This program is offered at no charge to participating schools thanks to generous donor support.
Guest Artist Master Classes and Events
An encounter with a famous musician can be a turning point in the life of a young musician. The MSO is proud to bring world-class musicians and conductors into schools and arts organizations to work with students of all ages. Conversations with the artist, master classes, clinics, and workshops have connected many guest artists with young musicians from elementary to university levels. These master classes are offered free of charge to participating community partners and are open to the public.
YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITIONS
Fall Youth Concerto Competition
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Fall Youth Concerto Competition is open to Wisconsin students in grades 3–8 who play strings, winds, brass, percussion, or piano. The winner of the competition performs with the MSO for an audience of their peers during the Fall Youth Concerts and receives a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Music Clinic.
Bolz Young Artist Competition
Preliminary Round — Saturday, January 4, 2025
Semi-Final Round — Thursday, January 9, 2025
The Final Forte — Wednesday, March 5, 2025
The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a highly regarded statewide competition open to Wisconsin students in grades 9–12 who play strings, winds, brass, percussion, or piano. Two intensive rounds of auditions culminate in the third round, in which the top four finalists perform with the MSO in Overture Hall. The third round of the competition is broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio as “Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte.” All four finalists receive scholarships. The second-place winner receives the Steenbock Youth Music Award. The first-place winner of the competition receives the Marian Bolz Prize for Distinguished Musical Achievement and performs with the MSO for an audie nce of their peers during the Spring Young People’s Concert.
When I learned that I would be part of The Final Forte, I was over the moon realizing that my dream would finally come to life.
– Katarina Kenney, Final Forte winner
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS
Fall Youth Concerts
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Run time: 55 minutes
Overture Hall, Overture Center for the Arts
The Fall Youth Concerts are designed to introduce students in grades 4-8 to classical music and the full symphony orchestra. These themed, multidimensional performances include visual images, introductions to compositions, and an inspiring performance by the winner of the MSO’s annual Fall Youth Concerto Competition. Our Docent Program allows schools to request visits by MSO musicians and MSO League members to prepare students for the concert experience. This program introduces the music and composers in fun and engaging ways and is offered at no additional charge to schools registered for the concert.
Spring Young People’s Concert
Thursday, March 6, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Run time: 70 minutes
Overture Hall, Overture Center for the Arts
The Spring Young People’s Concert creates memorable musical experiences for students in grades 6–12. The corresponding Spring Young People’s Concert Curriculum Guide gets students thinking more deeply about the musical selections in advance, creating a richer concert experience for them. The Spring Young People’s Concert is designed to model a typical orchestral concert experience but includes learning supplements such as a conductor narrative, visual component and an inspiring performance by the winner of the MSO’s annual Bolz Young Artist Competition.
Our students absolutely loved both the Link Up & the Symphony Soup concerts. Thank you for all of your work in coordinating these amazing events for our students!! We are so grateful!
– Music Educator
Symphony Soup
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Run time: 40 minutes
Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts
Symphony Soup is the culminating concert event for the Up Close & Musical® in-school residency program and is open to all elementary schools. In addition to solidifying the concepts taught by the Hunt Quartet through the Up Close & Musical curriculum, these concerts are designed to get students in grades K–3 excited about classical music and the symphony orchestra. Short excerpts are selected from orchestral favorites.
Link Up
Thursday, May 15, 2025
10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Run time: 55 minutes
Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts
In partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the MSO is thrilled to present the Link Up program, designed for students in grades 3–5. Through the yearlong curriculum of this highly participatory program, students learn to sing and play the recorder in their school classrooms and perform with the orchestra from their seats at the culminating concert in May. The 2024–2025 season will feature “The Orchestra Sings” Link Up curriculum which explores how composers create great melodies.
Community Engagement
Wow! What a mood changer. When the residents are happy, I am happy.
– Healthcare Specialist
We are proud to bring world-renowned musicians and conductors into the community to connect with music lovers of all ages and offer the opportunity for more people to experience the joy and healing power of music.
HeartStrings®
The MSO’s internationally recognized HeartStrings program enhances the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through participatory, music therapy-informed sessions led by the Rhapsodie Quartet. This transformative program reaches beyond the concert hall to bring live, interactive presentations into healthcare and residential facilities and schools. The quartet makes monthly visits to our community partners, providing sessions that have demonstrated the powerful impact of music on health and wellness. This program is offered free-ofcharge to participating organizations throughout Dane County thanks to generous donor support. HeartStrings has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the League of American Orchestras/MetLife Foundation, Johnson & Johnson/Society for the Arts in Healthcare, Central Wisconsin Center and the Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers as a model community program.
It is amazing how your music has such a calming effect on those with dementia. We enjoy the way you get our residents to participate in making music along with you. It really makes them feel special.
– Healthcare Provider
SPECIAL EVENTS
Hunt Quartet Recitals
The Hunt Quartet, is the resident string quartet of the MSO’s nationally recognized Up Close & Musical® program, designed to bring the power and beauty of classical music into elementary school classrooms throughout Dane County. The quartet, consisting of violinists Paran Amirinazari and Hillary Hempel, violist Jennifer Paulson, and cellist Trace Johnson, also performs recitals that are free and open to the public.
Rhapsodie Quartet Recitals
The Rhapsodie Quartet includes MSO Co-Concertmaster Suzanne Beia, Principal Violist Christopher Dozoryst, Principal Cellist Karl Lavine, and Violinist Laura Burns. The quartet makes monthly visits to HeartStrings community partners, bringing a full season of activities to residents and caregivers. They also perform recitals that are free and open to the public.
As new residents of Madison, this felt like the welcome we needed to be part of the community. Seeing our son at his first indoor performance, 100% engaged and excited, was honestly one of our best moments as a family. I cannot express how perfect this was or the elation we all felt.
– Concert Attendee
MSO on the Go
The Madison Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to bringing the joy of music to our diverse community, and truly making the MSO an orchestra for everyone. Community concerts are scheduled in various locations throughout the season.
Waunakee Performing Arts Center
Thursday, February 13, 2025
7:00 p.m.
MSO at the Movies
MSO at the Movies presents screenings of complete films while the Madison Symphony Orchestra performs the musical score live. Group seating is available.
The choice of music excited kids and adults alike!
– Concert Attendee
Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert
Saturday, November 23, 2024 7:30 p.m.
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Saturday, February 22, 2025 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:30 p.m.
MSO CONCERT ACTIVITIES
Open Rehearsals
Open Rehearsals are a wonderful free opportunity for music lovers of all ages to observe the preparation required for a symphony orchestra concert. Reservations are limited and can be made one month before each Open Rehearsal.
Prelude Discussions
Prelude Discussions are open to all ticket holders and provide insights into the concert repertoire and composers. Discussions are provided for every subscription concert except the MSO Christmas program and take place in Overture Hall one hour before each performance. Learn more: madisonsymphony.org/prelude
Student Rush Tickets
Student Rush Tickets are available to students from age 6 through the university level for $15 to experience any MSO performance in Overture Hall. University students will need a valid student ID, but younger students may simply claim student status at the Overture Center Box Office beginning on the Friday of each concert weekend, up until each performance. Students may purchase up to two tickets at these prices and will receive the best seats available at the time of purchase. Discounts cannot be combined. $10 Student Rush tickets are available for Organ performances on the day of each show. Details at madisonsymphony.org/rush
All Ears at the Symphony
All Ears provides groups of traditionally under-served community members with an invitation to experience select Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts at no charge. In addition to the performance, guests enjoy a pre-concert welcome and a post-concert meet-and-greet experience.
My students loved this experience! Thank you for making this possible for us!
– Music Educator
Education & Community Engagement Concerts
All concerts are performed at the Overture Center for the Arts except as noted.
nov 2024
feb 2025
Fall Youth Concerts
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
Kyle Knox, Conductor
A cross-curricular youth concert designed for students in grades 4-8
Community Concert
WAUNAKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Thursday, February 13, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Kyle Knox, Conductor
The Final Forte
mar 2025
may 2025
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
6:45 p.m.
John DeMain, Conductor
A free performance featuring four talented high school musicians as they compete in the final round of the Bolz Young Artist Competition with results announced live. Group seating is available.
Spring Young People’s Concert
Thursday, March 6, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Kyle Knox, Conductor
An educational concert with accompanying curriculum designed for students in grades 6-12
Symphony Soup Concert
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m.
Kyle Knox, Conductor
A concert designed for students in grades K-3 and the culminating concert of our Up Close & Musical program
Link Up Concert
Thursday, May 15, 2025
10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m.
Randal Swiggum, Conductor
The culminating concert of a yearlong partnership program that invites students in grades 3-5 to sing and play recorder with the orchestra
Tickets for MSO education concerts are $5 per student. Chaperones are free for groups of 10 or more. Subsidized tickets available for qualifying schools, calculated based on Free and Reduced Lunch rates. No physical tickets will be distributed for youth concerts.
Photos: cover (Fall Youth Concerts/Family Concert/The Final Forte/Link Up), p2 (Link Up), p3, Fall Youth Concerts/Family Concert/Symphony Soup), p4 (Family Concert/Ehnes Masterclass), p5 (Fall Youth Concerts/The Final Forte), p6 (Fall Youth Concerts/Spring Young People’s Concert), p7 (Link Up/Symphony Soup), p8 (HeartStrings), p9 (Rhapsodie Quartet/HeartStrings/Hunt Quartet), p10 (Community Concert/Spring Young People’s Concert/Family Concert), p11 (Open Rehearsal/Prelude Discussion), p12 (Link Up), p14 (John DeMain), p15 (Greg Zelek/Family Concert), back (Bolz Semi-Finals/The Final Forte): Peter Rodgers; p4 (Up Close & Musical): Lisa Kjentvet; p11 (Student Rush): Chris Fiol; p11 (Terrence Wilson): Amanda Dill.
2023–2025 Education & Community Engagement Funders
Diane Ballweg
Barbara and Norman Berven
Dr. Annette Beyer-Mears
The Capital Times Kids Fund
James Dahlberg and Elsebet Lund
Dane County Arts, with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation
The Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Foundation
The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times
Exact Sciences
Festival Foods
W. Jerome Frautschi
Friends of PBS Wisconsin
Kennedy Gilchrist and Heidi Wilde
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin
Susan S. Harris
Heid Music and Heid Music Family Charitable Fund
Carl M. Hudig
Dr. Stanley and Shirley Inhorn
Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation, Inc.
J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
The John and Barbara DeMain Fund for Education and Community Engagement
Joan Johnston
Madison Arts Commission, with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board
Madison Symphony Orchestra League
Julie and Larry Midtbo
National Endowment for the Arts
Nimick Forbesway Foundation
Elizabeth Olson
David and Kato Perlman
PBS Wisconsin’s Focus Fund for the Arts
Cyrena and Lee Pondrom
Sentry Insurance Foundation
John Sims
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Trust Point
U.S. Bank
UW Health & Unity Health Insurance
Marc Vitale and Darcy Kind
Veridian Foundation
William J. and Joyce F. Wartmann Fund
Wisconsin Arts Board, with additional funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts
Wisconsin Solar Design, Inc.
Woodman’s Food Markets
WPS Charitable Foundation
Jim and Jessica Yehle
Three Anonymous Friends
This list includes donors who contributed gifts of $500 or more in support of Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 Education and Community Engagement Programs, as well as donors who have committed gifts to support the 2024-2025 programs at the time of print. Also included are PBS Wisconsin donors whose gifts supported The Final Forte broadcast in March 2024.
Partner Spotlight
Special thanks to the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, whose fundraising events and volunteer efforts support our Education and Community Engagement programs annually. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org/msol
2024–2025 Madison Symphony Concerts
sep 20–22
Reunion
John DeMain, Conductor
Tommy Mesa, Cello
Greg Zelek, Organ
oct 18–20
Visions
Nicholas Hersh, Guest Conductor
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Violin
nov 15–17
Momentum
Michael Stern, Guest Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano
nov
23
MSO at the Movies
Kyle Knox, Conductor
Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert
dec 6–8
A Madison Symphony Christmas
John DeMain, Conductor
Vanessa Becerra, Soprano
Craig Irvin, Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
Mount Zion Gospel Choir, Tamera and Leotha Stanley, Directors
Madison Youth Choirs
Michael Ross, Artistic Director
jan 17–19 Beethoven x3
John DeMain, Conductor
Gil Shaham, Violin
Orli Shaham, Piano
Sterling Elliott, Cello feb 22–23
MSO at the Movies
Kyle Knox, Conductor
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
mar 14–16
Legacy
John DeMain, Conductor
Amanda Majeski, Soprano
Kirsten Lippart, Mezzo-Soprano
Martin Luther Clark, Tenor
Matt Boehler, Bass
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
apr 11–13
Yearnings
Joseph Young, Guest Conductor
Time For Three:
Nicolas Kendall, Violin
Charles Yang, Violin
Ranaan Meyer, Double Bass
may 9–11
Gershwin!
John DeMain, Conductor
Philippe Bianconi, Piano
Michelle Johnson, Soprano
Eric Greene, Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
2024–2025 Overture Concert Organ Concerts
3 Paul Jacobs, organ
LyyraGregEnsemble, Zelek, organ
25 Limmie Pulliam, tenor with Greg Zelek, organ apr 3
Empire Brass Celebration with Greg Zelek, organ
madisonsymphony.org/ organ
We appreciate our music educators!
For 25% off symphony concert tickets, use code EDUCATION25.
Single tickets are sold through Overture Center for the Arts. The 25% discount is available in all areas of the hall except E, where the tickets are $15. This code cannot be used for MSO at the Movies or A Madison Symphony Christmas.
Group Ticket Pricing
Groups of 10 or more receive a 25% discount for MSO concerts (excluding MSO at the Movies) and a 10% discount for Organ performances!
To place your order, call the MSO Office at (608) 257-3734 and ask for our Audience Experience Manager, Lindsey Meekhof .
For more information, please visit: madisonsymphony.org/groups
