Education Mission
To inspire, enrich and educate diverse listeners of all ages with concerts, mentorships, and other high-quality music programs — all free!
Annually, the GSO offers more than 100 free events that serve 25,000 people in the South Carolina Upstate. Our programs are designed for every age and listener. We are passionate about supporting and promoting our local music teachers, the Palmetto Basics, and our community arts partners like the SC Children’s Theatre, Greenville County Youth Orchestra, and the Carolina Youth Symphony.
Student and Teacher Tickets!
Discounted $5 Student Tickets and $10 Teacher Tickets are available for purchase on the day of the Peace Concert Hall, Gunter Theatre, and Artists Up Close Concerts.
Education and Community Engagement Opportunities
For our Youngest Audiences
Lollipops FREE
Best for ages 3-8
Experience the magic of live classical music and storytelling with Traysie Amick, South Carolina Children’s Theatre Principal Teaching Artist. A Greenville favorite for over 40 years!
Creepy Carrots By Aaron Reynolds
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Greer Library
Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
Saturday, November 4, 2023
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Travelers Rest Library
Dance by Matthew Van Fleet
Saturday, January 27, 2024
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Five Forks Library
The Really Awful Musicians by John Manders
Saturday, February 24, 2024
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Greer Library
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Saturday, March 30, 2024
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Travelers Rest Library
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Five Forks Library
Once Upon An Orchestra FREE
South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Best for ages 3-8
Children get a front row, interactive seat for Traysie Amick, South Carolina Children’s Theatre Principal Teaching Artist, and some of the Greenville Symphony’s most talented musicians. Kids learn to act out important concepts and actions from the story, backed by a beautiful live soundtrack.
Night Animals by Giana Marino featuring strings
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11 AM
Music for Mister Moon by Philip C. Stead, featuring cello
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11 AM
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein, featuring clarinet and percussion
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 11 AM
Elementary School
EdReach In-School Concerts
Small ensembles from the Greenville Symphony visit all 52 elementary schools in Greenville County! Students learn about the different families of instruments, how they sound individually and together, how music is put together, and what a career in music is like. The Greenville Symphony musicians encourage all students to try band, strings, or chorus when they reach middle school.
The Annual Children’s Concert
Peace Concert Hall
Fourth and fifth graders get to hear and experience how exciting a live orchestra can be when they hear the expansive sound of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra for free! Greenville County Public Schools receive priority access, but this concert is open to homeschoolers, co-ops, and charter schools as well.
“Migrations in Rhythm: A Concerto for Beatbox and Rhyme” starring Christylez Bacon, Beatbox
October 6, 2023, 10 AM and 12 PM
Reserve Seats by emailing Anneka Zuehlke-King (anneka@greenvillesymphony.org) or by filling out this form.
Middle School
Music Mentor Program
Greenville Symphony Musicians visit Greenville County Middle School band and string programs to perform for and coach young musicians at no cost to the students, teachers, or schools. Interested teachers should email Anneka Zuehlke-King (anneka@greenvillesymphony.org).
High School to Adult
Shoulder to Shoulder and Side by Side The Greenville Symphony partners with local youth orchestra programs to coach young musicians, then perform with them onstage.
Carolina Youth Symphony Fall Concert Side by Side
October 29, 2023, 5 PM
Peace Concert Hall
Learn More
Greenville County Youth Orchestra Concert Shoulder to Shoulder
February 3, 2024, 7:30 PM
Peace Concert Hall
Learn More
Student Ambassador Program
The Greenville Symphony is excited to continue its newest community program, Greenville Symphony Student Ambassadors (GSSA). Student Ambassadors will have volunteer opportunities before Symphony concerts, education events, performance opportunities, and interact with orchestra musicians. Ambassadors will receive a free ticket to each concert for which they volunteer.
Guest Artists Masterclass
Watch and learn from our amazing guest soloists as they work with talented and committed high school and college music students one-on-one in front of an audience of their peers and interested adults. Masterclasses are held at Smith Recital Hall, SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities.
Andrius Zlabys, piano
September 8, 2023
10 AM – 11:30 AM
Simone Porter, violin
November 10, 2023
10 AM – 11:30 AM
Joshua Roman, cello
January 19, 2024
10AM – 11:30 AM
Tessa Lark, violin
February 16, 2024
10AM – 11:30 AM
