Youth Concerts

Through Salem Youth Concerts, The Oregon Symphony in Salem has provided students the opportunity to gain exposure to classical music played by a professional orchestra. The Oregon Symphony has offered these concerts since the 1980’s.

The concert is only one piece of the program. It is accompanied by a series of lessons and activities developed to help meet and exceed Oregon Department of Education’s Arts Content Standards. The program guide offers background information on the pieces the students will hear at the concert, a listening outline for each piece, and biographical information about the composers. Topics include: Sound Awareness, Exploring Careers in Music, the families of the Orchestra, Dynamics in Music, writing a concert review and on and on. In recent years the concerts have been sold out.

The 2008-09 Youth Concert will be held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Smith Auditorium on the Willamette University Campus. The first concert will be at 9:30 AM and the second (repeat) at 11:00 AM. Bus funding is available only for the Salem concerts for all public schools within a 100 mile radius.

A downloadable brochure fully explaining the Youth Concert theme and reservation form will be available in August. Please check back then.

2008/09 Young People’s Concert

Happy Birthday Oregon - 150!

Gregory Vajda, conductor

Our beautiful state of Oregon is turning 150 years old on February 14, 2009!

Join the full Oregon Symphony in a Young People’s Concert that will celebrate this grand occasion with orchestral selections generously reflecting our State’s rich cultural heritage, bountiful natural resources, and that pioneer spirit, past and present, which makes us so unique.

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 23 & 24, 2009
9:30 & 11 AM

Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, Salem
April 27, 2009
9:30 & 11 AM