Kids & Families

Download the 2009-2010 Education Brochure.

Lollipop Concerts
Family Concerts
Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra 
Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses
Access to Music 

Lollipop Concerts [ages 3-7]

When you think of an orchestra concert for kids, do you picture your children throwing their hands up in the air in unadulterated joy and squealing, “It’s the Symphony!”? Each year at the Lollipops Concerts more than 15,000 young listeners get their first taste of the Grand Rapids Symphony that makes them do just that. Come and experience the joy of live music with your children!  Tickets are $5 per person, regardless of age, for general admission seats. Call the GRS ticket office at 616/454-9451 ext. 4 or Ticketmaster at 616/456-3333.

Hansel and Gretel
The Grand Rapids Ballet Company joins the Grand Rapids Symphony for a modern-day version of the classic children's fairytale.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
10:15 and 11:30 a.m.
Sunshine Community Church

Ferdinand the Bull
Munroe Leaf's charming story of Ferdinand, a bull more interested in the flowers than becoming the star of the bullring, is brought to life with actors, dancers, and the music of the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10:15 and 11:30 a.m.
Sunshine Community Church

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DTE Energy Foundation Family Series Concerts [ages 8-13]

Sponsored by: DTE Energy Foundation

 

Hear the orchestra as never beforeas the Grand Rapids Symphony presents live music in a way your IPOD can only dream of!  The newly re-designed Family Series concerts are perfect for the young musician in your family!  Single tickets range from $7-$9 for children 12 and under and $11-$15 for adults. Call the GRS ticket office at 616/454-9451 ext. 4 or Ticketmaster at 616/456-3333.

Fiddles on Fire
You only think you know what a violin sounds like!  Set your Fiddles on Fire with this foot-stomping festival of Celtic and bluegrass fiddling, electric violin and more!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
3:00 p.m. (Pre-concert activities begin at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby)
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

Percussion Explosion
Percussion Explosion will blow your mind with a fast-paced, high energy concert featuring the Grand Rapids Symphony percussion section!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
3:00 p.m. (Pre-concert Activities begin at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby)
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

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Grand Rapids Youth Symphony

Make new friends while you put your skills to the test.  Middle School and High School aged instrumental students are able to play in ensembles that excite and challenge them.  Students play music from the same repertoire as the professionals under the direction of Grand Rapids Symphony Associate Conductor, John Varineau. For more information about these ensembles, contact the GRYS/CO office at 616/866-6883 or click on the following link to access the GRYS/CO web site.

Join the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony 50th Anniversary Project!
The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony will be celebrating it's 50th Anniversary in the 2009-2010 season, and we need your help!  We would like to compile a list of all GRYS alumni for this special event.  You can contact us at the Grand Rapids Symphony office at 616/454-9451 ext. 128, via email at CVanBrandeghen@grsymphony.org, or check out our 50th Anniversary Project group on Facebook!  Be sure to tell us your name, the instrument you played, the years you were a member, where you are up to now and how we can contact you, as well as any great Youth Symphony memories! 

 Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra
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Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses

Presented by: Legacy Trust; Sean Ivory occupies The Cal and Pat Verduin Chair

The newest members of the Grand Rapids Symphony family, the GRSYC singers have quickly gained a reputation in West Michigan as exceptional vocal ensemblesmore than capable of singing at a professional level onstage with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Young singers ages 6-18 are led by Youth Chorus Director Sean Ivory and Junior Youth Chorus Director Jackie Sonderfan Schoon. For more information about these ensembles, contact Joseph Herdegen at 616/454-9451 ext. 138 or click on the following link to access the GRSYC web site.

Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses

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Access to Music

Sponsored by: Amway, Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority & SMG Management

This very special concert leaves no one—from audience members to volunteers to musicians—unmoved by the power of music and its ability to speak to each of us. 

The Access to Music concert provides a special opportunity for the Grand Rapids community who are often unable to attend concerts due to physical and economic challenges to come downtown and enjoy great music in an environment that will be sure to make them feel welcome. DeVos Place is barrier-free and has a convenient drop-off location in front. Numerous volunteers are on hand to help guests with arrival and seating for the concert.

 Advanced reservations are required.  Contact the Grand Rapids Symphony at 616/454-9451 ext. 128 for more information or to make a reservation. 

Access To Music
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
10:30 a.m.
DeVos Place - Exhibit Hall A

Access Volunteers

Many volunteers and high school students donate their time to facilitate the concert-going experience for these special events. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Annamarie Buller at 616/454-9451 ext. 149.

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