To download a copy of the 2011-2012 Education Brochure, please click on the link at the bottom of this page.
The Grand Rapids Symphony is dedicated to providing exceptional opportunities for school groups and home school families to explore the world of classical music though performances in and around Grand Rapids, as well as in the schools. Click on the following links to discover the variety of learning opportunities available for your school.
Artists in Residence
Education Ensembles
Lollipop Concerts
Third Grade Concerts
Fifth Grade Concerts
Nooks & Crannies Tour
Student Passport
Side by Side Concerts
Mosaic Scholarship
John P. Varineau Outstanding Music Educator Award
AIR: Artists In Residence Program [K-6th]
Sponsored by: Chase; Keller Foundation; Jim & Mary Nelson; Porter Foundation; RoMan Manufacturing; The Kate & Richard Wolters FoundationArtists in Residence Program: Great exposure to great music in your school and on the concert stage!
Ensuring that your students have access to great music certainly isn’t getting any easier in today’s limited-budget climate. The Grand Rapids Symphony remains committed to ensuring that these experiences remain an active part of every child’s education. One way we do this is through the Artists in Residence (AIR) Program.
This is a two-year partnership program between select schools and the Grand Rapids Symphony to provide not only traditional concert experiences, but also performances in the schools by small ensembles of Symphony musicians.
Each year, participating schools receive:
Third Grade Concert Tickets -- All third graders attend this high-energy concert featuring Bill Vits, FREE to all AIR schools. Click on the link at the top of this page to learn more about these performances.
Instrument/String Discovery Ensemble -- All fourth grade students have the unique opportunity to get an up-close and hands-on view of select instruments of the orchestra led by Symphony musicians.
Fifth Grade Concert Tickets -- All fifth grade students attend the annual highlight of the school year! AIR schools are able to schedule this FREE concert before it is available to the general public. Click on the link at the top of this page to learn more about these performances.
Nooks & Crannies Tours -- All sixth grade students are treated to a back-stage tour of DeVos Performance Hall, home of the Grand Rapids Symphony, that not only inspires them, but provides them with insight into the career options available in the arts…for FREE! Click on the link at the top of this page to learn more about these tours.
In-school Performances -- Each school also receives grade-level appropriate performances for all Kindergarten through sixth grade students in their school.
The total value of this program is more than $8,000! Schools new to the AIR program are able to participate in their first two-year cycle FOR FREE thanks to the generous support of Grand Rapids Symphony donors, corporate and foundation partners. After the initial cycle, schools are able to return for only $1,000 per year—just a fraction of the cost for participating in these events individually!
How to apply
Schools are selected through an application process. The application process for the 2010-2012 program cycle has been completed. Materials for the 2012-2014 program cycle are available from the Education Department at 616/454-9451, Ext. 128 or click here to download an 2012-2014 cycle application form at this time. Application deadline is February 15, 2012. For more information, contact the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department at 616/454-9451 ext. 128.
AIR Partners for the 2010-12 Cycle
Comstock Park Public Schools
Stoney Creek Elementary
Forest Hills Public Schools
Ada Elementary
Ada Vista Elementary
Knapp Forest Elementary
Orchard View Elementary
Thornapple Elementary
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Aberdeen Elementary
Brookside Elementary
Buchanan Elementary
Burton Elementary
CA Frost ESA
Campau Park Elementary
Congress Elementary
East Leonard Elementary
Grand Rapids Montessori
MLK Leadership Academy
Mulick Park Elementary
Palmer Elementary
Shawmut Hills Elementary
Shawnee Park Elementary
Sherwood Park Elementary
Sibley Elementary
Southwest Community Campus
Grandville Public Schools
Century Park Learning Center
East Elementary
West Elementary
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Alpine Elementary
Kentwood Public Schools
Bowen Elementary
Explorer Elementary
Non-Public/Charter Schools
Ada Christian School
All Saints Academy
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Grand Rapids Christian Elementary
Grandville Christian
Knapp Charter Academy
Hudsonville Christian School
New Branches Elementary
Rose Park Christian School
Vista Charter Academy
Northview Public Schools
North Oakview Elementary
Crestwood Elementary
Lakes Elementary
Saugatuck Public Schools
Douglas Elementary
Tri-County Area Schools
Sand Lake Elementary
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Lollipop Concerts [Kindergarten – 2nd (ages 4-7)]
Sponsored by: PNC BankChildren naturally embrace music, rhythm and dance. What better time in their development to enhance beloved childhood tales than with the Grand Rapids Symphony’s musical interpretation of classic children’s literature?
Tickets are $5 per person. Advanced reservations are required. Tickets are not available at the door. To make a reservation, download an order form, or contact the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department at 616/454-9451, Ext. 128.
Attendance for School Performances is restricted to students ages Kindergarten through Second grade (ages 4-7). Families with young children are encouraged to attend the Family Performances. For more information, click on the Kids & Families menu on the left.
Little Red Riding Hood
The timeless tale of a spunky young girl and a crafty wolf whose plans are foiled by a modern twist. Featuring the dancers of the Grand Rapids Ballet Co!
(additional performance at 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 18 only)
Sunshine Community Church
January 24, 2012
Performances at 9:30 a.m. and *10:45 a.m.
***NEW LOCATION!*** Central Wesleyan Church
* The January 24, 2012 10:45 a.m. performance is SOLD OUT!
Green Eggs and Ham
A mini-operaversion of the Dr. Seuss classic tale of a pesky Sam who insists that everyone try his green eggs and ham, featuring Diane Penning, soprano!
Sunshine Community Church
*The March 13, 2012 performances at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. are SOLD OUT!
*The March 14, 2012 performance at 9:30 a.m. is SOLD OUT!
Download an Order Form to make a reservation.
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Third Grade Concerts (ages 7-9)
Third Grade Concert: A Joyous Collision of Music, Culture and History
Percussion is the heartbeat of music. Its history spans from the earliest known humans to all modern cultures. No one tells the vibrant story of the importance of percussion music and instruments better than Bill Vits in this high-energy, high-impact concert just for Third Graders. Space is limited, so don’t delay!
Tickets are $4 per person, regardless of age, and must be reserved in advance. Tickets are not available at the door.
- Attendance for School Performances is restricted to students ages 7-9.
- For School Performances, one complimentary adult ticket is provided per every five student tickets purchased for groups with 10 or more students.
School Group Performances
November 8, *9, *10 and *11, 2011
Performances at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Celebration Cinema North
*The November 9, 2011 performances at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. are SOLD OUT!
*The November 10, 2011 performance at 9:30 a.m. is SOLD OUT!
*The November 11, 2011 performances at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. are SOLD OUT!
- Download an Order Form to make a reservation.
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Fifth Grade Concerts [ages 9-11]
Sponsored by Amway, Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority & SMG Management, Keller Foundation, The Marsilje Foundation, Meyer Music, Louis & Helen Padnos Foundation, Alwyn & Christine Rougier-Chapman, Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & HowlettFifth Grade Concert: The concert hall turned into a giant classroom!
“With the Fifth Grade Concerts, I’ve found a way to engage my students with the arts and connect them to their lives in a modern way!”
There’s no better answer to your school’s budget challenges than this FREE concert! The traditional concert hall takes on a new look and feel with these multi-media concerts sure to engage your fifth grade students in the full spectrum of a live concert full of great music.
Curriculum materials and accompanying resource CD of the music are provided to help music and classroom teachers prepare students to attend the concert and will be mailed with your reservation confirmation.
The Fifth Grade Concert lasts approximately 50 minutes and is presented FREE to all schools and homeschool families! Advance reservations are necessary. To make a reservation, download an order form below, or contact the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department at 616/454-9451 ext. 128.
- Attendande for School Performances is restricted to students in Fifth Grade (ages 9-11).
- Curriculum materials and resource CD are available for groups with a minimum of 10 students.
Fifth Grade Concerts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
*9:40 a.m. and *11:10 a.m.
DeVos Performance Hall
*The 9:40 a.m. performance is SOLD OUT!
*Seating is limited for the 11:10 a.m. performance!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
*9:40 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
DeVos Performance Hall
*The 9:40 a.m. performance is SOLD OUT!.
Thursday, March 1, 2012 Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
*9:40 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
DeVos Performance Hall
*The 9:40 a.m. performance is SOLD OUT!
*9:40 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
DeVos Performance Hall
*The 9:40 a.m. performance is SOLD OUT!
9:40 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
Central Wesleyan Church, Holland
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Nooks & Crannies Tour [6th – 12th (ages 11-17)]
Explore the mysteries of what goes into making Grand Rapids Symphony concerts come to life in these informative and fun backstage tours of DeVos Hall. Go to places the audience rarely sees and sit onstage right where the orchestra sits! Great for school bands and orchestras as well as scouting troops, youth groups, senior/retiree groups and more!
Reservations Required
Tours are FREE and last approximately 60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. Tours are available for groups of 15 or more. To schedule a Nooks & Crannies Tour, contact the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department at 616/454-9451 ext. 128.Nooks & Crannies Tour Schedule
November 3-4, 2011
Tour times: 9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.December 14-16, 2011
Tour times: 9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.April 18-20, 2012
Tour times: 9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
- Download an Order Form to make a reservation.
- Please add me to your mailing list for educational performances and activities.
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Student Passport [Elementary, Middle, High School, College]
Students of all ages, from elementary school through college, are able to enjoy the magical moments of select Grand Rapids Symphony concerts through the Student Passport program. Passport members are eligible to purchase tickets for just $5 the night of the concert! That’s cheaper than a movie!
Student Passport Tickets are available for:
Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series Concerts | Crow Horwath Rising Stars Concerts | Edward Jones Coffee Classics ConcertsBack to top
Side by Side Concerts [High School]
When the Side by Side Concerts started, we had no idea the impact they would have on all involved. These partnerships between local high school orchestras and the Grand Rapids Symphony enable students to sit right along side the pros for a concert that is truly magical under the direction of John Varineau, Associate Conductor.
Each year, a limited number of dates are available to support the many outstanding school music programs in our community. Concerts are performed at the host school. Thanks to the generous support of Grand Rapids Symphony donors, Side by Side concerts are available at no charge to the school!
Schools interested in being considered as a host school are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and a current recording of their orchestra to the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department by February 28 for consideration for the following year.
Schools interested in being considered as a host school are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and a current recording of their orchestra to the Grand Rapids Symphony Education Department by February 28 for the following year.Letters & recordings can be submitted to:
Grand Rapids Symphony
Education Department
300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503Back to Top
Mosaic Scholarship [ages 12-18]
The Mosaic Scholarships are designed to provide talented African-American and Hispanic instrumental students with the opportunity to develop their musical skills and to immerse them in the world of classical music.
Students living in Kent County who have been playing their instrument for at least one year are eligible to audition for the scholarship. Mosaic Scholars receive completely subsidized lessons with a Grand Rapids Symphony musician, as well as opportunities for the scholar and his/her family to attend Grand Rapids Symphony concerts and events.
Scholarship auditions are held in the spring for lessons beginning in the following fall. Application materials are available from the Grand Rapids Symphony office at 616/454-9451, Ext. 128 or download from the link below.Funds for the Mosaic Scholarship have been made possible, in part, by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Wege Foundation.
Please add me to your mailing list for educational performances and activities.
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John P. Varineau Outstanding Music Educator Award [adults]
The John P. Varineau Outstanding Music Educator Award was established on the occasion of John’s 25th Anniversary with the Grand Rapids Symphony to not only honor his achievements in the area of music education, but to support others who also work tirelessly to ensure that music and music-making is an active part of every student’s education. Initial funds for the award were generously provided by Peter M. Wege.
The award will be presented each spring with the award year beginning the following September and continuing through the end of June. The recipient will receive:
- A $1,000 cash award for the school program, which the recipient may use at his/her discretion
- Specialized opportunities for the recipient’s students to interact with the Grand Rapids Symphony musicians and education programs. Opportunities may include attending concerts, in-school concerts, master classes, and /or Side by Side Concerts with GRS Musicians. Student activities will be determined in consultation with the award recipient and Grand Rapids Symphony staff.
- Two complimentary season tickets to the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series for the year of his/her award.
Eligibility — Nominations are open to all music educators (instrumental, vocal and general music), from all levels (elementary, middle school, high school and collegiate), in West Michigan who have served his/her students, community and profession in an exemplary manner, and have demonstrated outstanding merit. Nomination Process — Nominations from fellow teachers, administrators, parents and students are accepted. Nominators must all complete the nomination form and submit the requested support materials. Nomination packets must be received at the Grand Rapids Symphony office by March 1 to be considered. The Nominee should meet or exceed expectations in the following areas: Leadership, Professional Growth, and Human Relations. Completed Nomination packets must be postmarked by March 1. Download the Nomination materials from the link below.
