South Coast Symphony

Koncert For Kids

For the past 25 years the South Coast Symphony’s Koncerts for Kids has performed for over 75,000 students and their teachers from cities and communities throughout south Orange County. These LIVE symphonic concerts are held annually during the school day. Students and teachers are bused to and from their schools to the concerts completely free of charge! Koncerts for Kids is a specifically designed multi-media program for fourth grade students. They experience music, performed by a large symphony orchestra, from a variety of genres including classical, jazz, opera, film scores from Hollywood and the music of Broadway. Highlights of these concerts have included an interactive music and art performance to the music of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and multi-media presentations from the film scores of composer John Williams. The students also have the opportunity to hear performances at each concert from two very talented young performers who have been chosen as award winners from the Symphony’s annual Young STARS of the Future Competition. Students attending these concerts come from schools in the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) and private schools in South County. One of the reasons this program is such a success is because of the work of our partners. The Symphony Alliance, staff from the Capistrano Unified School District, and the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts, who coordinate the concert logistics. Financial support has come from the California Arts Council, the City of Aliso Viejo, the Jane Deming Fund administered through the Orange County Community Foundation, Hennings-Fischer Foundation, McBeth Foundation and the Pacific Life Foundation. 

Young STARS of the Future

Young STARS of the future, the premiere county-wide Performance Competition and Concert. The goal is to foster and promote new, young talent residing or studying in Orange County, California. Winners are selected by a jury of distinguished musicians where they compete against a standard of excellence, not each other. The criteria are exceptional talent, virtuosity, artistic individuality, projection as a performer, and promise. Each winner receives a $1000 Scholarship and a performance with the Symphony. Auditions are open for all Orchestral Instruments as well as Piano, Harp, Voice and Conducting. The three categories include Classical, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. To date the Symphony has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships! Past winners are now performing on Broadway and in national Touring Companies. Winners in our Classical division are performing in concert halls throughout the country.