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.
Education and Community Engagement Opportunities
For our Youngest Audiences
Lollipops
Best for ages 3-8 – FREE
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!
Saturday, October 12, 2024
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Five Forks Library
Saturday, January 18, 2025
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Greer Library
Saturday, February 22, 2025
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Pelham Library
Saturday, March 29, 2025
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Taylors Library
Saturday, April 12, 2025
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Travelers Rest Library
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10 AM-10:30 AM: Hughes Main Library
11:30 AM-12 PM: Five Forks Library
Once Upon An Orchestra
Best for ages 3-8 – FREE
Join musicians of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and Traysie Amick, Principal Teaching Artist of the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for fun and interactive performances of your favorite children’s books! Performances are Tuesday mornings, 11:00 am in the lobby of the South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29601.
11AM: South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
11AM: South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Caps for Sale
by Esphyr Slobodkina
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
11AM: South Carolina Children’s Theatre
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.
(Stay tuned for Details)
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.
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, and performance opportunities, as well as the opportunity to 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.
Randy Ulmstead, tenor
Friday October 4, 2024
10:00- 11:30 am
SC Governor’s School Smith Recital Hall
Spencer Myer, piano
Friday, November 22, 2024
10:00- 11:30 am
SC Governor’s School Smith Recital Hall
Jackie Tso, violin
March 15 or April 11
10:00- 11:30 am
SC Governor’s School Smith Recital Hall
Tess Altiveros, soprano
Friday, May 9, 2025
10:00- 11:30 am
SC Governor’s School Smith Recital Hall
Student and Teacher Tickets!
Discounted $5 Student Tickets and $10 Teacher Tickets are available for purchase on the day of the Peace Concert Hall and Gunter Theatre.
Meet Allen Jiang, Principal Bassoon of the GSO
Hear part of his story about how access to student tickets to symphony concerts played a role in his journey to becoming a professional musician.
"My passion for the bassoon began in middle school when my band teacher encouraged me to choose it as my primary instrument. I practiced hard and auditioned and soon I was accepted as a bassoonist in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. I spent many evenings at Orchestra Hall thanks to the student ticket program offered by the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. These concerts were some of my most inspiring and transformative experiences.
By my sophomore year of high school, I had decided to pursue music professionally. That’s why I’m so grateful for the support of donors to the Greenville Symphony, whose generosity makes it possible for us to offer $5 student tickets. Each concert weekend, around 100 students take advantage of this incredible opportunity. As I look out at the audience, I’m reminded of the experience I had as a student and the incredible gift our donors provide for the youth of our community. Each year the number of students at GSO concerts continues to grow. Thank you!"
Community Partners
The GSO collaborates with various organizations to educate, inspire, and serve diverse communities through music.
