Grand Rapids Symphony Society

TO SHARE GREAT MUSIC THAT MOVES THE HUMAN SOUL AND TO EXCEL AT PROVIDING DISTINCTIVE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LIVE ORCHESTRA MUSIC, FOR DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGOUT WEST MICHIGAN.

THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY IS AN INTEGRAL AND INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE WEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY. THE INSTITUTION HAS LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY, WITH MUSICAL EXCELLENCE, DIVERSE PROGRAMMING, COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT, AND A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING, ALL ADDING TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE WE ENJOY IN WEST MICHIGAN. EACH YEAR, THE SYMPHONY OFFERS NINE MAIN SEASON CONCERT SERIES AND A SUMMER SERIES, REACHING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 PEOPLE THROUGH 400 PERFORMANCES. DONATED FACILITIES AND SERVICES RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR WERE 15,022.

GATEWAY TO MUSIC IS THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY'S MATRIX OF 16 EDUCATION AND ACCESS PROGRAMS THAT SERVES MORE THAN 80,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS EACH YEAR. CURRENT GATEWAY TO MUSIC PROGRAMS FALL INTO ONE OF FOUR CATEGORIES: CHILDREN AND YOUTH, ADULTS, YOUNG MUSICIANS, AND FAMILIES. CHILDREN AND YOUTH: -THIRD GRADE CONCERTS: FEATURING SYMPHONY PRINCIPAL PERCUSSION BILL VITS, THIRD GRADE CONCERTS HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORICAL USE OF TRADITIONAL PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. -FIFTH GRADE CONCERTS: FIFTH GRADE CONCERTS INCORPORATE A CLASSROOM FEEL IN A TRADITIONAL CONCERT STRUCTURE, INCLUDING VARIOUS ELEMENTS AND A DISPLAY OF STUDENT ARTWORK CREATED FOR A DESIGNATED PIECE ON THE PROGRAM. -ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM: THIS EXTENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM INCORPORATES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADES K-6 AND ADDS ADDITIONAL IN-SCHOOL PERFORMANCES BY SMALL ENSEMBLES. ADULTS: -NOOKS AND CRANNIES TOURS: THESE ONE HOUR TOURS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL AND INVITE DISCUSSION ABOUT CAREERS IN THE ARTS. -ACCESS TO MUSIC CONCERTS: CONCERTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A WELCOMING EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS WITH PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC LIMITATIONS. -MUSIC FOR HEALTH: A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY AND SPECTRUM HEALTH, MUSIC FOR HEALTH OFFERS EFFECTIVE NEUROLOGIC MUSIC THERAPY TO PATIENTS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS AS A REHABILITATION INTERVENTION FOLLOWING NEUROLOGIC INJURY. -GR SYMPHONY CHORUS: AN ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION COMPRISED OF 130 MEMBERS, THE CHORUS IS DEDICATED TO ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN CHORAL PRESENTATIONS. THE CHORUS PERFORMS WITH THE SYMPHONY THREE TIMES PER YEAR. YOUNG MUSICIANS: -MOSAIC SCHOLARSHIPS: MOSAIC SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDE COMPLETELY SUBSIDIZED PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC INSTRUMENTAL STUDENTS. -SIDE BY SIDE CONCERTS: THE SIDE BY SIDE CONCERTS ENABLE STUDENTS TO PERFORM ALONGSIDE THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY MUSICIANS ON A CONCERT IN THEIR SCHOOL. -GRS YOUTH CHORUSES: THE YOUTH CHORUS PROGRAMS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AGES 6-18 TO SING AT SELECT SYMPHONY PERFORMANCES. -GRS YOUTH SYMPHONY AND CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA: THE YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM PROVIDES ADVANCED ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHLY SKILLED STUDENTS IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA. FAMILIES: -LOLLIPOPS CONCERTS: 45 MINUTE CONCERTS CONNECTED TO CLASSIC CHILDREN'S LITERATURE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE YOUNG CHILDREN AND REINFORCE LEARNING IN THE HOME AND SCHOOL. -FAMILY SERIES CONCERTS: CONCERTS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT ON THEIR INSTRUMENTS AND ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO AREN'T PLAYING TO GIVE IT A TRY. -SYMPHONY SCORECARD: ACCESS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FREE CONCERT TICKETS AND TRANSPORTATION TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND ACTIVE MILITARY HOUSEHOLDS. -FREE FOR FAMILIES: CREATING A CULTURE OF MUSIC APPRECIATION AND STRENGTHENING FAMILY ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN WEST MICHIGAN. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS TWO FREE CHILDREN TICKETS WITH EVERY FULL- PRICED ADULT TICKETS PURCHASED.