The Concert

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) will present a joint Family Concert at the Ordway Center on Saturday, April 26, 2014. This unique free performance will inspire young listeners and expand access to classical music in the Saint Paul community. Under the direction of Mark Russell Smith, GTCYS’ premier Symphony orchestra will present the Made in America concert and perform Copland’s stirring and symbolic Appalachian Spring, Barber’s violin concerto with student soloist Anna Humphrey, and The Gilded Cage, an exciting piece for percussion by Susan Powell. In addition to the outstanding musical aspect, the performance will include rich educational components that will captivate children ages 6 to 12.

To ensure that the concert is widely accessible to families, admission is free and tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Last year, the pilot performance of the Family Concert was a smashing success with a full house of more than 2,200 at the Ordway Center. 

The Impact

The kids-performing-for-kids model is a powerful way to engage young audience members and inspire future participation in classical music. It also creates a meaningful experience for Symphony’s high school musicians who will play for a full house at a professional concert hall and see the impact of their skillful performance firsthand in the admiration and enthusiasm of young audience members. Additionally, the collaboration provides a meaningful way for GTCYS and the SPCO to give back to the community, and it serves the missions of both organizations by increasing access to classical music.

What We Need

The SPCO will provide use of the Ordway Center and is absorbing this major expense. However, there are additional direct expenses associated with presenting the concert, including staff and crew for the performance, production costs like music rental for Appalachian Spring and Barber’s violin concerto, piano rental and tuning, and a projector and screen; beyond this there are some additional marketing and staffing costs. 

What You Get

• $25: Two tickets to a 2014-2015 GTCYS Symphony concert.
• $50: All of the above, plus two tickets to a 2014-2015 SPCO concert.
• $120: All of the above, plus a personal thank you note from a GTCYS Symphony student and a SPCO Green Room Membership (See http://www.thespco.org/contribute/the-green-room for more information).
•  $300: All of the above, plus a SPCO Liaison Program Membership (See http://www.thespco.org/contribute/liaison-program for more information).
• $500: All of the above, plus a CD recording of the April concert performance by the GTCYS Symphony.  Limit of 25 CDs available.

Other Ways You Can Help

• Help us spread the word! Share this campaign with people you know.
• Come see us in action! Join us for the GTCYS Family Concert on April 26, 2014. Tell others about this concert and invite them to attend.