Education & Community Engagement Program Updates for 2019-20 Season

Cleveland Orchestra deepens engagement with Neighborhood Partners through new and expanded offerings
Events and programs tailored to each Neighborhood Partner location: Hough, Gordon Square, Lakewood, and Slavic Village
Highlights: New Lullaby Project aims to strengthen parent/child bond and brings music to new families; Free Cleveland Orchestra Community Concert in Lakewood; Gordon Square Music Showcase
Free online educational offerings increase access to music instruction in Cleveland and worldwide

CLEVELAND – Today, The Cleveland Orchestra announced details of ongoing and new education and community engagement programs, providing children, families, and citizens across Northeast Ohio with opportunities to connect with the Orchestra and with music. The Orchestra’s Education and Community Engagement programs have reached more than four million people in the 102-year history of the institution, and annually serve more than 100,000 students and families. With the recent announcement that Cleveland Orchestra Education Concerts are free for every child thanks to a transformational gift from Mrs. Jane B. Nord, these programs will reach even more young people around the region.

Cleveland Orchestra Education and Community Engagement vision
The Cleveland Orchestra’s education and community engagement programs are part of its bold vision for the future. The Orchestra recognizes its responsibility to reimagine the music education landscape in Northeast Ohio, for the region’s children and for our collective future. These programs and offerings move the Orchestra closer to accomplishing four key goals:

  1. Expand access and remove barriers so that every child in Greater Cleveland can experience The Cleveland Orchestra.
  2. Enable more children — from all walks of life — to play music and reap the life-long cognitive, academic, and social-emotional benefits that music study provides.
  3. Advocate for why music matters, raising awareness for the well-documented benefits of music for people of all ages and for the essential role music and the arts play in society.
  4. Unite our diverse community through music, connecting people to each other through the power of music.

Neighborhood Partners
The Neighborhood Partners program, which began with the 2018-19 season, continues to develop and expand relationships with the Greater Cleveland community. Through “At Home” Neighborhood Residencies from 2013 to 2016, the Orchestra visited and built relationships with residents and organizations in Gordon Square, Lakewood, Slavic Village, and Hough. With Neighborhood Partners, the Orchestra deepens its relationships with these communities, building a sustainable model of engagement and strengthening these areas through long-term music programs created and implemented collaboratively based on neighborhood-specific priorities and needs.

Highlights during the 2019-20 season:

  • Through the Hough Lullaby Project, a Carnegie Hall inspired program, pregnant and new parents in Lexington-Bell Community Center’s Mom’s First program work side-by-side with Cleveland Orchestra musicians and local music therapists to create, sing, and share a personal lullaby for their babies. The Lullaby Project, in coordination with organizations across Cuyahoga County who are fighting to lower the infant mortality rate, raises awareness for this important issue while supporting maternal health, aiding child development, strengthens bonds between parent and child, and offers an outlet for mothers and fathers to use their voices to make an impact in the lives of their families. The program began in October 2019 and will continue through May 2020, with regular lullaby writing sessions at community centers, churches, and in participants’ homes.
  • A free Cleveland Orchestra Community Concert will be presented for Lakewood residents and families. The concert will take place on February 16 at Lakewood Civic Auditorium in Lakewood High School and includes selections by Beethoven and Haydn. All free tickets were distributed last month in Lakewood coffee houses and libraries.
  • The Gordon Square Music Showcase on March 7 is a free concert at Waverly School, bringing together band and choir students from five Gordon Square schools to perform in a large group setting with their peers and side-by-side with Cleveland Orchestra musicians, who also coach the students on common repertoire in schools, then perform with them in the showcase concert. The first annual Gordon Square Music Showcase took place during Music in Our Schools Month last March (watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VCE4Vg5d1Y).
  • The Crescendo program continues, providing free high-quality instrumental music instruction, with a goal of expanding the pipeline that leads to the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, other high-quality ensembles, and beyond.
    • In Slavic Village, Cleveland Orchestra musicians and teaching artists provide instruments and instruction to students in grades K-3 during and after the school day at Mound STEM Elementary School. Students in kindergarten and first grade engage in a preparatory program called Kodaly instruction, while students in second and third grades participate in an intensive Suzuki Violin-structured program. To hear from students and parents about the impact of the Mound School Strings program, watch this video on The Cleveland Orchestra’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4uX-ELY6-Y.
    • At Wade Park School in Hough, Cleveland Orchestra brass players work with 30 students in grades 4-6, providing individual and group lessons on trumpet and trombone.
    • Last summer, students from the Wade Park Brass and Mound School Strings programs continued their music education by attending local summer camps, supported by The Cleveland Orchestra.
    • Through the Sam J. Frankino Foundation Music Mentors program at Cleveland School of the Arts, 15 students are paired with Cleveland Orchestra musicians who provide private lessons, group instruction, and meaningful mentorship.

Free online educational resources
Through online resources and videos, educators and music-lovers in Cleveland and around the world can learn about the Orchestra and its instruments. Among the online offerings:

Updated and continuing Education and Community Engagement programs
The Cleveland Orchestra is presenting the second set of Education Concerts of the 2019-20 season, and the second Education Concert week since the announcement that these concerts are now free for all students thanks to a transformational gift from Mrs. Jane B. Nord (video here: https://youtu.be/8pid7QIUa8U). Through these concerts, more than 16,000 students are annually introduced to classical music performed by one of the world’s top orchestras. The concerts will be held February 11, 12, and 14 at Severance Hall, with an additional performance at the Lorain Palace Theater on February 13. “Beethoven: The Man and his Music” provides an overview of the legendary composer’s music and life. Narrator Donald Carrier guides students on this musical journey of creativity, tragedy, love, despair, and hope.

Mindful Music Moments, an innovative musical tool for social-emotional wellbeing created through a partnership with City Silence, provides students with a four-minute daily dose of classical music coupled with mindfulness techniques delivered through participating schools’ morning announcements. Involvement in this program creates a calm, focused start to each school day that reduces anxiety, fosters a positive learning environment, nurtures a positive association with classical music, and expands access to music on a regular basis through recordings by The Cleveland Orchestra. Currently, more than 20,000 students in 54 schools across Northeast Ohio hear The Cleveland Orchestra’s Mindful Music Moments every school day. For an example, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbgguMfm9dM. Mindful Music Moments is supported by The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation.

Through the expansion of the PNC Grow Up Great / Musical Neighborhoods program, CMSD preschool students in 18 partner schools continue to experience the joy of music and practice important school readiness skills, such as learning letters of the alphabet, counting, and discovering how to follow instructions. More than 800 students in 36 CMSD preschool classrooms benefit from music, literacy-linked lessons, and on-site visits by Cleveland Orchestra musicians, providing an educational resource for the classroom. Teachers receive a musical resource kit that includes simple instruments, audio recordings, books, and lesson plans linked directly to state standards designed to support classroom learning every day.

The popular Under 18s Free program, part of The Cleveland Orchestra’s Center for Future Audiences, continues to expand access for young audiences by making Orchestra concerts affordable for families, offering free tickets to young people 17 and under, for the Family Concert Series supported by the Weiss Family Foundation, PNC Music Explorers, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra concerts, and select Cleveland Orchestra Severance Hall  and Blossom Music Festival concerts again this season. The program celebrates its 10-season anniversary during this summer’s Blossom Music Festival season; more details on the celebration will be announced in spring 2020. The Cleveland Orchestra’s Center for Future Audiences, created with a lead endowment gift from the Maltz Family Foundation, was established to fund programs to develop new generations of audiences for Cleveland Orchestra concerts in Northeast Ohio. In addition to Under 18s Free, the Center also supports programs for college students and young professionals.

For information about the Orchestra’s continuing Education and Community Engagement programs — including Family Concerts; In-School Programs; Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert, Chorus, and Community Open House; the Star-Spangled Spectacular; Community Concerts; and Music Study Groups and other programs for adult learners — visit our website at https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/education-and-community/education-overview/.

More information about the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Northeast Ohio’s premier symphonic ensemble for young musicians, can be found here: http://www.clevelandorchestrayouthorchestra.com/. Details about the Orchestra’s choral ensembles, including the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, Youth Chorus, and Children’s Chorus, can be found here: https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/about/choruses-and-ensembles/    

The Cleveland Orchestra’s Education and Community Programs Serving Northeast Ohio
The Cleveland Orchestra’s commitment to education and community service was central to the establishment of the Orchestra in 1918, and has never been more important. Over the past hundred years, The Cleveland Orchestra has introduced more than four million young people to symphonic music through live concert experiences. Today, with the support of many generous individual, foundation, corporate, and governmental funding partners, the Orchestra’s education and community programs reach more than 100,000 young people and adults annually, helping to foster a lifelong relationship with music. As Music Director Franz Welser-MÓ§st leads the Orchestra into its second century with a renewed commitment to music education and community engagement based on his belief that every child’s life should include music, he continues to emphasize that the arts are critical to a well-rounded education and that learning is a lifelong pursuit and journey.

As we look to the future, we strive to be Cleveland’s Orchestra, engaging our diverse citizenry and building community through music, removing barriers to participation, advocating for and helping to facilitate equitable access to comprehensive music education in schools, nurturing the next generation of musicians and audience members, and harnessing the life-changing power of music to make the world a better place through new initiatives developed for even greater impact.  For more information visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/education-and-community/overview/.

Calendar Listing

Select upcoming Education and Community Engagement events

EDUCATION CONCERTS
BEETHOVEN: THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Friday, February 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Donald Carrier, narrator

BEETHOVEN  First movement from Symphony No. 5
HAYDN  First movement from Symphony No. 96 (“The Miracle”)
BEETHOVEN  Fourth movement from Symphony No. 2
BEETHOVEN  Leonore Overture No. 3
BEETHOVEN  Second movement from Symphony No. 7
BEETHOVEN  Grosse Fuge (adapted for string orchestra)
BEETHOVEN  Fourth movement from Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”)

More than 6,000 students from across Northeast Ohio will experience Education Concerts at Severance Hall, and the concert will be presented to approximately 1,400 students at the Lorain Palace Theatre.

LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY CONCERT
Lakewood Civic Auditorium at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Blvd, Lakewood, OH 44107
Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.

The Cleveland Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Donald Carrier, narrator

BEETHOVEN  First movement from Symphony No. 5
HAYDN  First movement from Symphony No. 96 (“The Miracle”)
BEETHOVEN  Fourth movement from Symphony No. 2
BEETHOVEN  Leonore Overture No. 3
BEETHOVEN  Second movement from Symphony No. 7
BEETHOVEN  Grosse Fuge (adapted for string orchestra)
BEETHOVEN  Fourth movement from Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”)

This free community concert is presented for Lakewood residents and families as part of The Cleveland Orchestra's Neighborhood Partners program which unites communities through music. Free tickets were distributed at coffee houses and libraries in Lakewood.

For more information about the concert, visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920---events/2020-02-16-lakewood-comm/?performanceNumber=26740.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA YOUTH ORCHESTRA & CHORUS
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Martina Janková, soprano
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus
   Daniel Singer, director

MENDELSSOHN  Hear My Prayer
PÄRT  In principio
STRAVINSKY  Suite from The Firebird

Free Prelude Concert begins one hour before the concert in Reinberger Chamber Hall, and includes music performed by members of COYC.

For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920-coyo-concerts/coyo-2020-winter/?performanceNumber=18534

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is supported by a generous grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and by gifts from many other donors from across Northeast Ohio. Endowmentsupport is provided by The George Gund Foundation and Christine Gitlin Miles.

PNC MUSIC EXPLORERS
THE CHEERFUL CELLO
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, March 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
David Alan Harrell, cello

The PNC Music Explorers Series is an ideal way for children and families to learn about orchestral instruments, one at a time, with Cleveland Orchestra musicians, special guests, and an engaging host who encourages audience members to sing, clap, and move to the music. In addition, each half-hour adventure features brief musical selections and instrument demonstrations created to inspire and entertain young music explorers.

Under 18s Free with adult ticket purchase. For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920---tco-explorers/2020-03-06-10am-cello/?performanceNumber=18294

GORDON SQUARE MUSIC SHOWCASE
Waverly Elementary School, 1805 W 57th St, Cleveland, OH 44102
Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Students from five Gordon Square schools showcase their musical talents side-by-side with Cleveland Orchestra musicians and guests

This is a free, general admission event. Tickets are not required. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Parking is available on street and in the school lot.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA YOUTH CHORUS HONOR CHOIR CONCERT
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus
  Daniel Singer, conductor
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus Honor Choir
  Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor

More than 150 of the region’s most talented choral students will come together at Severance Hall for a night of celebration through music. Students will be directed by guest conductor Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand who serves as Full Professor, Chair of the Music Department, and Director of Choral Activities at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. Repertoire will include contemporary choral works and arrangements of gospel songs and spirituals. The concert will also feature a performance by the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus under the direction of Daniel Singer.

TRADITIONAL arr. BECK  America the Beautiful

MARTIN   The Call of Music
LABARR   We Remember Them
TRADITIONAL arr. WYKOFF   Beautiful Morning
TRADITIONAL arr. GIBBS   Bound for Canaan Lan’
TRAD. arr. PADDEN adapt. DILWORTH   I Sing Because I’m Happy

Free event, but tickets are required. For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111.

PNC MUSIC EXPLORERS
THE TRIUMPHANT TRUMPET
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Jack Sutte, trumpet

The PNC Music Explorers Series is an ideal way for children and families to learn about orchestral instruments, one at a time, with Cleveland Orchestra musicians, special guests, and an engaging host who encourages audience members to sing, clap, and move to the music. In addition, each half-hour adventure features brief musical selections and instrument demonstrations created to inspire and entertain young music explorers.

Under 18s Free with adult ticket purchase. For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920---tco-explorers/2020-04-18-11a-triumphant-trumpet/?performanceNumber=18297

FAMILY CONCERT
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor

Join The Cleveland Orchestra for an intergalactic journey with Out of this World— a fun-filled concert that promises to transport audience members from Severance Hall to distant galaxies with music from Star Wars, Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra (theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey), Holst’s The Planets, and more. The evening’s program will feature large projections of photographs taken from the Hubble Telescope, International Space Station, and NASA’s own archives. This event, which includes space-related pre-concert activities, is presented in partnership with Great Lakes Science Center — home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, one of only eleven visitor centers in the country.

Under 18s Free with adult ticket purchase. For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920---tco-family-series-concerts/out-of-this-world-2020-05-1/?performanceNumber=18345

The Cleveland Orchestra’s Family Concert Series is supported by the Weiss Family Foundation. This concert is presented in partnership with Great Lakes Science Center and its NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

PNC MUSIC EXPLORERS
POWERFUL PERCUSSION
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Thomas Sherwood, percussion

The PNC Music Explorers Series is an ideal way for children and families to learn about orchestral instruments, one at a time, with Cleveland Orchestra musicians, special guests, and an engaging host who encourages audience members to sing, clap, and move to the music. In addition, each half-hour adventure features brief musical selections and instrument demonstrations created to inspire and entertain young music explorers.

Under 18s Free with adult ticket purchase. For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920---tco-explorers/2020-05-01-10a-powerful-percussion/?performanceNumber=18298

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Katarina Davies, cello
Natalie Brennecke, viola

GABRIELLA SMITH  Tumblebird Contrails
TCHAIKOVSKY  Variations on Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra
ROZSA  Viola Concerto
DEBUSSY  La Mer

Free Prelude Concert begins one hour before the concert in Reinberger Chamber Hall, and includes chamber music performed by members of COYO.

For tickets, call the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or visit https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/1920-concerts-pdps/1920-coyo-concerts/coyo-2020-spring/?performanceNumber=18535

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is supported by a generous grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and by gifts from many other donors from across Northeast Ohio. Endowmentsupport is provided by The George Gund Foundation and Christine Gitlin Miles

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