Philharmonic Society Of Orange County
PROGRAMS
Youth Concerts
Twelve free bus-in concerts are held year-round: Concerts for Second Grade and Concerts for Fifth Grade. Concerts for Second Grade introduce students to the history, instruments, and music of a classic American marching band. Concerts for Fifth Grade explore the fundamentals of an orchestra and how a composer writes music, all while featuring classical and popular tunes performed by the Orange County Youth Symphony.
These concerts expose nearly 20,000 students to the fundamentals of instrumental music, and for many, this is their first time attending a live performance. In Concerts for Fifth Grade, students have the additional benefit of seeing young musicians perform, making learning an instrument attainable and realistic. While the concerts are free to attend, transportation scholarships are available to offset bussing costs for schools who may face significant financial barriers. Pre and post-concert curriculum encourage ongoing learning in the classroom, fostering an appreciation for music beyond the concert hall.
Free Family Concerts
Created to make live performances available and accessible to all audiences, Free Family Concerts are held across Orange County throughout the season, offering families the opportunity to discover music together. Activities in the lobby encourage hands-on exploration of the instruments of the orchestra and themed crafts and activities to expand learning.
Intentionally held in different locations around Orange County, these concerts serve nearly 3,000 individuals from a variety of backgrounds and ages, with many attendees residing in low socio-economic areas. A flexible, welcoming environment, families feel comfortable bringing children of all abilities, and considerations are made for those who may need additional assistance.
Orange County Youth Symphony & String Ensemble
Founded in 1970, the Orange County Youth Symphony (OCYS) and String Ensemble (OCYSE) is one of Southern California’s finest youth symphony programs. The diverse roster features 150 musicians from nearly 60 middle school, high school, and college programs from San Clemente to Fullerton and beyond. Under the direction of Johannes Müller Stosch and Lucy Lu, OCYS and OCYSE members participate in workshops and clinics with Philharmonic Society-presented artists, perform professional repertoire in world-class venues across the county, travel across the globe for performance tours, and serve as musical ambassadors in their local schools, districts, and communities.
This program delivers high-class music instruction by top-tier teaching artists while helping musicians to develop and enhance attributes of confidence, integrity, self-esteem, responsibility, resilience, and self-worth. OCYS and OCYSE members are expected to volunteer in their community and share their passion for music through performances at Pretend City Children’s Museum, Rady Children's Health, and additional community centers. While this is a tuition-based program, financial aid and scholarships are available to students who qualify for needs-based assistance.
High School Orchestra Festival
Spotlighting the young talent of Orange County’s high schools, this festival gives 17 high school string ensembles and orchestras the rare opportunity to perform at the world-class Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, as each orchestra presents a 20-minute concert, demonstrating their hard work and dedication over the course of the school year.
Nearly 1,000 students participate in this one-day festival, with this event often being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on a professional stage. Meanwhile, families and concertgoers have the opportunity to support and appreciate the talent in our community’s public schools. This program also serves as a fundraiser, with 50% of ticket proceeds going directly back into the participating school music programs.
Strike Up the Band
This application-based program grants musical instruments and resources to K-12 schools to enhance and grow their existing music programs and provide for the creation of new music programs, with each site being able to apply for up to $10,000 worth of items. This is an enormous assistance to schools with small or non-existent music budgets and low-income families who cannot afford to rent or purchase a musical instrument themselves.
Since this program’s inception, the Philharmonic Society has granted over $813,000 worth of instruments and supplies to 106 schools, with many sites creating new music programs or replacing decades-old instruments. The grant directly invests in students and teachers and supports the continuation of strong music programs in schools.
CONTACT
Philharmonic Society Of Orange County
1124 Main Street
Suite B
Irvine, CA 92614
Tommy Phillips
Phone: 949-553-2422#203