The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is the state's premiere performing arts organization, serving an audience of more than 55,000 people from the Delaware Valley of all ages and backgrounds. Our educational offerings engage everyone from the first-time listener to the lifetime music lover.
During our season we present more than 40 classical, chamber and special concerts, plus numerous educational programs and activities. Each year, more than 10,000 students and teachers from kindergarten through college benefit from our school visits through our DSO on the GO program, our educational Explorer Concerts, Collaborative Docent Program, DMEA/DSO Student Soloist Competition, Open Dress Rehearsals, discounted concert tickets and student rush tickets.
To sign up or for more information on individual programs, please e-mail or call Lisa Vaupel at 302-656-7442 x 105.
Education Programs
DSO on the GO
Get up close and personal with the musicians of the DSO visiting your school! Chamber ensemble visits, masterclasses, sectionals, side-by-side rehearsals, and teaching artist partnerships can all be arranged for your school.
Explorer Concerts
These fun-filled programs give children the opportunity to hear the power of the full orchestra. Study guides written in accordance with state teaching standards are distributed to participating schools, ensuring that the concert experience is one the children will never forget.
Collaborative Docent Program
Bring a dynamic duo of musicians into your classroom with entertaining presentations that introduce the different families of instruments. Students really get a hands-on experience with this program!
Family Pops Concerts and Instrument Petting Zoo
Family Pops Concerts are truly fun for the whole family! Each concert is offered on a Saturday afternoon and is a great way to introduce any member of your family, young or old, to the exhilaration of a live symphony orchestra concert. Our Instrument Petting Zoo will be at 1pm, October 30 and1pm on March 19 – a great lead–in to the concert. What a fun, affordable and easy way to spend an afternoon!
DMEA and DSO Student Soloist Competition
The Delaware All State Senior Soloist Competition is invited to rehearse and perform on stage with Maestro Amado and the professional musicians of the Orchestra. For more information, click here.
Open Dress Rehearsals
High school and college students have the opportunity to attend Open Dress Rehearsals, where they are given an inside look at how Maestro Amado works with the orchestra to produce a concert of beautiful music.
Master Classes
The world-renowned guest artists of the DSO work with students in publicly held classes. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for students and adults to hear the insights from these soloists as they play for the audience and work with budding young talent. Masterclasses with DSO musicians can also be set up at your school- please see our DSO on the GO page for more information.
Educators Night and The Jessie Ball du Pont Educators Award
Educators Night is an event that honors all educators at the February 26, 2011 Delaware Symphony Classical Series concert. We recognize an individual who has made a significant impact in the field of music education by presenting our annual Jessie Ball duPont Educator Award. Download the 2011 Jessie Ball duPont Award and guidelines for nomination.
Discount Ticket Program
This program offers an opportunity for schools and districts to purchase deeply discounted tickets to our classical concert programs. With a full year’s subscription, (at least ten student subscriptions) your school will receive two visits during the year from DSO musicians who will prepare students for coming to a concert. Student groups are welcome to join in the Pre-concert Conversations that are held one hour prior to concerts.
Student Ticket and Student Rush
Additional discounted ticket opportunities are provided in order to promote student and family attendance at Delaware Symphony performances. Students 18 and under may buy tickets for $10 at any time (with student id). Rush student tickets are available to students over 18 (with student id), for $10 one half-hour before performances.
Pre-performance conversations
Musical insights are offered one hour prior (7:00PM) to our classical concert programs, presented by DSO Music Director David Amado and the symphony’s Guest Artists. These lectures give the audience an enlightened view of the music the DSO performs.
Community Engagement
The Delaware Symphony actively seeks collaborations and partnerships with local arts and other organizations, such as Delaware Music Educators Association, The University of Delaware, West Chester University, The Music School of Delaware, University of Delaware, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Kind to Kids, Kuumba Academy, the YMCA, The Academy of Life Long Learning and a multitude of schools, retirement facilities and local service organizations. For further information, please contact Margie Smigielski, margies@delawaresymphony.org, or 302-656-7442 x 100.
