Youth Education Program

Decorated ViolinThe San Juan Symphony is a regional orchestra uniting the Four Corners area by nurturing the art of music through education and high quality performances that touch the soul. The education program serves the communities of: Aztec, Bloomfield, Durango, Farmington, Ignacio, Kirtland and Shiprock.

A significant activity of the education program is setting up school visits and master classes for guest soloists. During the 2006-2007 Season, our guest artists participated in 12 school visits and masterclasses. During our 2007-2008 Season, two guest artists are scheduled for these visits. The San Juan Symphony also provides two music scholarships each year -  one at Fort Lewis College for $1,800, and one at San Juan College for $500.

The San Juan Symphony performs two annual youth concerts, one concert for 6th graders in Durango, and one concert for 5th graders in Farmington. The Youth Concerts expose at least 1,500 students to the symphonic experience, and will be held February 4, 2008.

The Meet-a-Musician program is also a major outreach element. The musicians speak about and demonstrate their instruments, answer questions, coach music ensembles, or participate in rehearsals and concerts playing next to students in the full ensemble. A total of approximately 50 area classrooms will be visited throughout the year (10 classes during the three weeks prior to each concert, including the Youth Concert/Family Concert).

Our Family Concert on the evening of February 4, 2008 in Farmington offers an affordable opportunity for parents to attend a one-hour symphony concert with their children.  The symphony performs popular classical music and film scores.  The Family Concert includes a Decorated Violin Contest and Raffle for students ages 6-18.  Students submit template designs, then the templates are judged by local professional artists.  Finalists are selected to decorate full-size violins. The violins are displayed and raffled at the Family Concert.

In addition, the education program also arranges an annual Side-By-Side concert where area school students are featured on stage with the symphony for a portion of the program. The Side-by-Side includes additional coachings and rehearsals with symphony musicians. This season’s Side-By-Side will take place at the first concert of the season, September 29-30, 2007.

The San Juan Symphony also maintains a cooperative relationship with Fort Lewis College where both faculty and students are members of the orchestra.