School Programs

Youth Concerts
Orchestra Iowa presents a series of Youth Concerts consisting of 45-minute weekday performances designed for elementary students (fall) and middle school students (spring). Each concert includes engaging symphonic works and multi-media presentations that relate to specific curricular objectives and age-appropriate dialogue. Prior to each concert, participating educators receive a Youth Concert teacher guide that includes teaching resources and information about the performance along with a compact disc of musical excerpts from the featured repertoire. The Cedar Rapids Community School District provides all fourth and seventh graders an opportunity to attend one of the performances. Other schools in the area can receive the concert teacher materials and bring their students to Orchestra Iowa’s Youth Concerts for a low admission cost per student. 

Music in the Schools
Orchestra Iowa Chamber Ensemble performances are given by members of the Orchestra in each of the Cedar Rapids Community School District elementary schools annually. The performances are 20-30 minutes in length. The purpose of the ensemble concerts is to provide students the opportunity to attend a live professional chamber concert in their own school building, fostering a greater appreciation for music a promoting enthusiasm for attending and supporting community arts events now and in the future. Repertoire performed by each ensemble varies but compliments the grade level curriculum standards and benchmarks. 

Fifth Grade Fiddles
The Fifth Grade Fiddles Program is a set of group violin lessons offered by the Symphony School to students during their fifth grade year. The program includes ten 45-minute lessons and culminates in an informal performance open to families and teachers of the fifth graders.  Fifth Grade Fiddles:

• Increases knowledge of and appreciation for music, especially that of the string family, through a hands-on approach
• Integrates fifth grade standards/benchmarks related to Social Studies (how music serves as an expression of culture), Music (the string family, understanding music concepts including rhythm and melody, and playing instruments), Reinforce social/emotional student benchmarks, especially in the areas of improving listening skills and following directions
• Improves student fine-motor skills

To inquire how your school or class can participate in any one of Orchestra Iowa’s School Programs, please contact the Symphony School at 319.363.3960.