Education & Community

One of the most rewarding benefits of Salem’s relationship with the Oregon Symphony can be found in music education. Musicians perform at special events so that we can get to know them better. Elementary school children that may never have been able to see a symphony can come and gain that experience—many for free at our Youth Concerts. Salem-Keizer High Schools are all afforded the opportunity to engage a musician on an instrument of the school’s choice to hold a Master Coaching Session with their orchestra or band. Staff and musicians judge our annual youth competition, providing them with valuable feedback and, for the winner, the opportunity to audition to play with the symphony. We give tickets to over 100 students, parents and teachers as a reward for submitting and winning our essay contest. We give $1,000 each year to the Salem-Keizer school that employs our Music Educator of the Year.

We believe that music education is critical to all ages and can only enhance and better the lives of those that experience it.