Every spring, the Des Moines Symphony presents four school-day Youth Concerts. Through this program, Central Iowa fourth and fifth graders learn in-depth about orchestra instruments, composers and music in their classrooms and then see the Symphony perform live at the Des Moines Civic Center.
“This is such a valuable experience for our students. Many of them have never seen a live orchestra play. My students were impressed by the passion the orchestra members had in playing the music. They definitely could tell that the musicians loved to play… Thank you again for a wonderful experience. This one was the best yet!” exclaimed one area music teacher.
At the beginning of the concert, Joseph Giunta introduced each instrument family and the students had the chance to sing along as the Symphony played My Country, ‘Tis of Thee. Students then heard the Symphony perform Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Ives’ Variations on “America,” Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island and the fourth movement of Dvorak’s New World Symphony.
In addition, the Youth Concerts provide a unique opportunity for high school-age members of the Des Moines Symphony Academy’s Youth Symphony to perform side-by-side with the Symphony on the Civic Center stage. Winners of the Youth Symphony’s annual Concerto Competition also performed.
As one area teacher stated, “This is my favorite field trip of the year. The students are engaged and enjoy it so much. It is so appropriate for the 4th grade level and helps us to encourage interest in concert band. Thank you for providing this opportunity!”
Generous Annual Fund support from many individuals and organizations make the Symphony’s Youth Concerts possible each year, with lead support provided by Wells Fargo, Corteva Agriscience, John Deere, Prairie Meadows, and Bravo Greater Des Moines.
