Many assumptions about educational activities are prevalent today. Costs exceed the perceived benefits. Children already have too much to do. How are you going to get their attention? How are you going to get them to attend a concert when their parents don't. Conductors and musicians don't want to do youth concerts and, therefore, will perform badly. The expense of transporting students is more and more of a problem for school systems. Youth concerts are best when they reach the largest number. These are all half-truths on which Orchestra Education Programs will shed more light.

If you are reading this volume because you are merely interested in education or because you found yourself in charge of it this year, prepare yourself. What you are about to read contains the wisdom of many dedicated orchestra education directors and chairmen. Here are some thoughts they have in common: teaching people about symphony orchestras is ultimately rewarding if you can maintain your enthusiasm; it is eventually accomplished if you have the stamina; and it is great fun if you love working with people. Any orchestra that has an effective and enjoyable education program is sure to have a corps of hard workers at its disposal. This handbook and directory is designed to help orchestras offer the highest quality educational programs possible.

Education is inherent to all performers of symphonic music. The musicians demonstrate mastery of an instrument, the conductor displays skill at interpeting a score, and the composer communicates inspiration through the art form. They seem to say:  This is what I have learned and it's important for you to understand it. The understand it can be directed toward both programs that support the training of musicians and those that train listeners. The term education then refers to any of the special efforts orchestras spend to respond to the intrinsic educational potential of a live performance.

It is vital for anyone charged with the task of educating people about orchestras and symphonic music to have a clear understanding of the essentials of concert production, the range of existing programs, and the current state of educational activities. To respond to this need, the American Symphony Orchestra League has compiled this handbook and directory based on information received from surveys conducted in 1983 and 1984.

Leaders in the field of orchestra education programs met in late 1982 and identified a program survey as the best means to initiate the process of improving education on and about orchestras and symphonic music. They sought to identify the names and titles of their colleagues; to prioritize program goals and frequently cited problems; to examine community involvement, preparatory materials, and concert activities; and finally, to report on who does what, when, and how. A Report and Directory marked the first step in this coordinated exchange of information on orchestra education activities throughout the and Canada.

The second step in this process included the identification of fundamental principles of producing educational activities in general and youth concerts in particular, and publishing this essential information in a handbook of education programs. It was also decided that the who and what should be united with the how and why. For specific information on both the 1983 and 1984 surveys, please consult Appendix A. This volume, then, is the product of a great adventure in teaching people about symphony orchestras. (Introduction)

CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Communities and symphony orchestras. 

The arts and excellence in education. 
Working with school administrators, teachers, and other contacts. 
Funding education concerts and programs. 
Income sources and expenditures for educational activities. 
Community involvement. 
Frequently cited problems. 
Comparison of ticket sales, funding and participation. 
Troubleshooting education program problems.

Chapter 2. Symphony orchestras and education. 

An overview of educational activities. 
Mission statements applied to education programs. 
Board involvement and education committee responsibilities. 
Volunteer involvement in educational activities. 
The symphony orchestra audience. 
Disabled children in youth concert audiences.

Chapter 3. Education program production. 

Concert production, long range plans. 
Devising concert programs. 
Theme, selecting music. 
Pops music, program order. 
Narration. 
Scripts. 
Visuals. 
Instrumental demonstrations, soloists, audience involvement, locations. 
Youth concert checklist. 
Orchestra cue sheet. 
Volunteer ushers. 
Letter to teachers. 
Hall arrival and dismissal. 
Fun. 
Adult education. 
Programs other than concerts. 
Record keeping. 
Preparation and follow-up for better listening. 
Preparatory materials for education concerts. 
Special audience preparatory activities. 
Docent programs. 
Printed program notes. 
Evaluations.

Chapter 4. Orchestra directory. 

Major orchestras. 
Regional orchestras. 
Metropolitan orchestras. 
Urban orchestras. 
Community orchestras. 
Youth orchestras.

Chapter 5. Program index. 

Tiny tots concerts. 
Elementary school concerts. 
Junior high school concerts. 
Senior high school concerts. 
Kinder Konzerts. 
Young people's concerts. 
Family concerts. 
Pre-concert recitals. 
Pre-concert lectures/Lecture series. 
Seminars. 
Open rehearsals. 
Master classes. 
Play-alongs. 
In-school ensembles. 
Senior Citizen concerts. 
Docent programs. 
Slide and/or tape programs. 
Teachers manuals.

Chapter 6. Young artist competitions. 

Promotion and organization. 
Auditions and research. 
Major orchestras. 
Regional orchestras. 
Metropolitan orchestras. 
Urban orchestras. 
Community orchestras. 
Youth orchestras.

Appendices:
     Appendix A. Survey scope and methods.
     Appendix B. Advocacy bibliography.
     Appendix C. Paraphrased mission statements.
     Appendix D. Education committee responsibilities.
     Appendix E. Youth concert script, Boston symphony orchestra.