The 2020 Junior Symphony Ball set a record for fundraising to support the music education programs of the Dallas Symphony. In March 2020, the JSB Co-Chairs presented a check for $370,000 to the Dallas Symphony. The Steering Committee, Underwriting participants, Corporate Partners and parent volunteers were critical to making this event a success. These funds will continue the important work of music education in under-served communities of Dallas and North Texas. The following programs benefit from the JSB efforts:
Young Strings
This nationally recognized program discovers, develops and promotes the musical talents of underrepresented string students by providing them with free private lessons and supporting their progress through mentoring, performance opportunities, concert attendance and instrument loans.
Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concert Series
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs twenty-four concerts for nearly 40,000 elementary students each year at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Music and narration introduce children to the orchestra and free curriculum materials provide teachers with related classroom activities.
The DSO’s educational website for teachers, students and families, DSOkids.com includes classroom activities, interactive music games and resources such as composer biographies, instrument photos with sound demonstrations and an opportunity to join the DSO Kids Club.
Studio DSO
Encompassing a variety of interactive opportunities for musically passionate teens and college students, Studio DSO brings renowned musical artists together with aspiring young musicians. Opportunities include master classes, the DSO Learning Lab, Open Rehearsals, the Young Composers Reading Sessions, the DSO Teen Council and the teen-oriented web site: StudioDSO.com
Symphony YES!
Each year DSO ensembles present over 100 interactive chamber performances in area schools. Music Fun Facts books, in both English and Spanish, are made available to all elementary students who participate in a Symphony YES! performance.
DSO Discover
Dedicated to lifelong learning, DSO Discover offers entertaining and informative opportunities for music lovers to learn more about the symphony. This is done through Performance Preludes, the Bach’s Lunch series, and community presentations.
Family Concerts
This affordable 3-concert series encourages children and adults to experience great music as a family.
Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition
Intended to identify and encourage the highest level of musical talent in the South Central United States, the Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition provides area string and piano students under the age of 18 the opportunity to compete for scholarships and the chance to perform with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Music Memory
Dallas area elementary students spend months studying masterworks of the repertoire, then gather at the Meyerson to represent their schools in a college bowl type of event that includes live performances.
Amazing Music Workshops
DSO teaching artists visit classrooms and after-school programs to present engaging workshops based on one of our highly successful Amazing Music programs.
