Special Events & Programs

Youth & Family Program
Annual education program provided free to 4th & 5th grade students throughout Santa Cruz County & an affordable concert for the whole family.

In the two weeks prior to a free concert, Symphony musicians visit classrooms to introduce students to the instruments of the orchestra, and to help maximize their concert experience. Members of the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony play alongside their adult Symphony counterparts, creating the largest philharmonic orchestra on the central coast. The event is presented in a highly accessible style, using elements of humor, movement and participation. The concert program is repeated the Sunday following the Youth concerts as an affordable Family concert.
In March 2008, in celebration of its 50th season, the Santa Cruz County Symphony has commissioned a new work from local children’s music heroes Gwynne Cropsey and Stephen Snyder, aka ZunZun. This work, titled Vuela: An Américas Symphony, made its world premiere at the 2008 Youth & Family concert, performed this year at the Mello Center for the first time. It took audiences on a musical journey through the American continents, experiencing the various geographical and cultural regions along the way. Folkloric instruments were featured, along with bi-lingual (English, Spanish) narration to introduce the symphonic instruments of the orchestra. Following the concert, there was a special “Meet the Instruments” event. Audience members had the chance to meet with musicians and learn about orchestra instruments. Over 4000 students and their teachers attended the four concerts at the Santa Cruz Civic and Watsonville's Mello Center.

Kendall Neiblum-Lamkin, 2006

2006 Youth & Family concert

Tippett in the Schools High School Art Program

The 2006-2007 Symphony season concluded with Sir Michael Tippett’s A Child Of Our Time. This remarkable oratorio contrasts traditional Negro spirituals and contemporary ideas expressed vocally and instrumentally by four soloists, chorus and orchestra. The text explores our diverse cultures and how we as human beings interact and judge one another. Music Director John Larry Granger says of the piece," This is a profound work of music with equally profound ideas for our time." To learn more about the music and composer, click here.
Santa Cruz County high school art students were invited to create visual artwork inspired by the music and text of A Child of Our Time, to be displayed at the concert venues. This special Symphony program brought guest speakers into the schools, to deepen the students experience of both the music and the art making process. To read more about the 'Tippett in the Schools' program, and view samples of the student's artwork, click here.