EdReach
EdReach is an in-school concert series program for third, fourth and fifth graders. The GSO performs at public elementary schools in Greenville County, the largest school district in South Carolina. EdReach was created to introduce kids to the instruments and musicians of the GSO. The program provides the opportunity to interact with musicians, ask questions and receive answers. It opens students up to the potential opportunity of becoming a professional musician; explores what that path may look like; and encourages them to join band, chorus, or strings when they enter middle school.
EdReach has been a successful component of Greenville’s music education strategies for over 20 years. Designed to be mobile and adaptable, a small ensemble comprised of a rotating combination of the GSO’s wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn), string quintet (violins, viola, cello, and double bass), and solo percussion performs kid-friendly classical music during 40-minute assemblies held in school cafeterias, atriums, gyms, and music rooms.
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Concert
Shoulder-to-Shoulder trains emerging, serious talent on the challenges and nuances of performing with others in a professional orchestra. This more complex musical skillset is best learned through the act of doing; or learning alongside a musical counterpart with extensive orchestral experience in what is much like a master/apprentice relationship.
Almost identical to Shoulder-to-Shoulder is our Side-by-Side program, which is a partnership with the Carolina Youth Symphony.
Side-by-Side Concert
Side-by-Side partners 21 musicians from the GSO with student musicians in the Carolina Youth Symphony to work together in a professional environment through two rehearsals and a final performance.
Almost identical to Side-by-Side is our Shoulder-to-Shoulder program, which is a partnership with the Greenville County Youth Orchestra.
Both programs provide invaluable opportunities to young musicians to gain firsthand experience from seasoned, professional musicians. Shoulder to Shoulder and Side By Side are the GSO’s 1000-word picture when it comes to learning how to play orchestral music!
Music Mentors
In response to the success of Shoulder to Shoulder and Side by Side, the GSO developed Music Mentors, partnering with selected Greenville County middle school and high school band and string programs.
10 partner sites are selected and receive four visits during the school year from a mentor GSO musician. Our musicians from the GSO demonstrate professional technique and musicianship, conduct the student ensembles, play along with each music class, and provide feedback honed from years of professional experience. And that’s just the start of the countless unique moments that come from repeated engagement with Greenville’s young musicians.
Additionally, the GSO offers programs selected for Music Mentors deeply discounted, best available tickets to GSO Masterworks Concerts-not only for the students, but for the entire family.
Music Mentors is Sponsored by The Spinx Company, Inc..
Guest Artist Enrichment
The GSO often brings world-class visiting performers to Greenville to collaborate with our musicians on our programs as guest soloists. Our Guest Artist Enrichment program sends these renowned artists into to interact with students for workshops, recitals and masterclasses at Upstate high schools and universities. The GSO has provided Guest Artist Enrichment to the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, the Greenville County Fine Arts Center, Furman University, and other Greenville County schools.
Guest Artist Enrichment affords unforgettable experiences for young musicians, and unparalleled opportunities for students to learn a shared craft directly from master musicians.
Many Guest Artist Enrichment opportunities are free and open to the public.
Pre Concert Talks
The Greenville Symphony invites curious audience members to a free Pre-Concert Talk one hour prior to both Saturday and Sunday afternoon Masterworks Series concerts in the Peace Center Concert Hall. Pre-Concert Talks, presented by Paul Hyde, offer interesting insight to the concert repertoire and composers to further enhance your concert experience.
Student Tickets
$5 student tickets will be available for purchase for Chamber or Masterworks concerts with proof of a valid ID at the Peace Center box office on the day of the concert. Subject to availability.
Teacher Tickets
$10 Greenville County School Teacher tickets will be available for purchase for Chamber or Masterworks concerts with proof of a valid ID at the Peace Center box office on the day of the concert. Subject to availability.
