Community Engagement

Mission of the Education and Outreach Program

"The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra's Education and Outreach mission is to provide a variety of music programs in the area schools to expose students to classical music through performances by guest artists; to encourage participation in school instrumental classes that build life long skills and pleasure; and to support educational opportunities that foster students' self esteem, which can lead to academic success. "

Community Engagement  is one of the major but less known of the orchestra’s functions.  This year’s programs reflect several new partnerships.

Claire Bryant and Friends

The HHSO plans to offer a 2 week residency with 4 separate projects to the communities of  Hilton Head and Bluffton by contracting with Claire Bryant and Friends, a group of professional young musical artists led by South Carolina native Claire Bryant.  Their residency will include:

  • A Chamber Music Performance featuring live performances in the public schools, retirement and assisted-living communities, and public concerts in Hilton Head, ranging from alternative venue in a local bar to the traditional concert setting at All Saints Church;
  • An Interactive Performance with the five elementary schools around the county with an Interactive Performance entitled, “Rhythm is everywhere, Rhythm is in us!”;
  • A Creative Project called  “Musical Monologues” with the Boys and Girls Club after-school program on the Island to create and cultivate a special creative project called “Musical Monologues” with twenty middle and high school students; and lastly,
  • Master Classes and Workshops in which the string quintet will work with instrumental middle and high school students in formal Master Classes and Orchestral Workshops.

Young Artists Program

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This program will focus on highly motivated and talented young students between grades four and twelve by exposing them to a wide variety of musical experiences, offering opportunities and varied venues of performance and supporting their private lessons with professional teachers and performers.

Interested students and parents will be interviewed after submitting a biography, references and taking an audition. If successful, students will be expected to perform during the season so their progress can be evaluated. Parental support will be a vital aspect of the program.

Not only will these young artists have the opportunity of working closely with our HHSO conductor and orchestra musicians and will also have the privilege of attending rehearsals and concerts of our International Piano Competition contestants. It is our hope that these Young Artists will become an integral part of the orchestral season qas well as musical ambassadors to the community at large.

School Ambassador Program

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition contestants and HHSO guest artists will once again travel across the county to area schools to perform. These performers seem to benefit as much from this opportunity as do the thousands of students who see these guest artists.

Youth Concerto Competition

Since 2000, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra has sponsored a Youth Concerto Competition. Its purpose is to provide talented young musician the opportunity to perform standard orchestral repertoire from memory before an audience.  The winners have an opportunity for recitals and opportunity as a soloist with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. This next competition will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013, Hilton Head Island.

Fall Music Camp

Partnering with public schools, we offer a week-long program during school break the first week of November. Students will receive daily instruction in music and dance. These 3 hour classes will be offered at the HH International Baccalauerate Elementary School.

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