Sherman, TX - The Sherman Symphony Orchestra will present its 23rd annual Children’s Educational Concerts at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 at Kidd-Key Auditorium. Since 2002, this free program has reached thousands of students. This year, over 2,000 students from 22 schools will attend.

The Children’s Educational Concerts showcase each orchestral instrument and instrument family, as well as allow students to learn and practice concert etiquette. These concerts are designed for fifth-graders because that is the age when many students choose an instrument to learn.

With the help of narrators, students learn about music that was written to tell a story, and music that was written to convey an idea. The narration will be led by vocalist and music educator Laura Dominick, and Sherman Community Players Artistic Director, Darrah Dunn. To conclude the concert, students will participate in a sing-along with the orchestra, led by Ms. Dominick and Sory Elementary School Assistant Principal, Lori Hartman.

Maestro Daniel Dominick will direct the 60-piece orchestra through a program that combines traditional and contemporary repertoire in an effort to lead students from the known to the unknown. Maestro Dominick has conducted the orchestra since 1992, and this program’s continuity and growth is evidence of his commitment to music education and to serving the community. For conductor and musicians alike, this is one of the most fun and energetic concerts of the year.

The Children’s Educational Concerts now represent just one of the orchestra’s music education initiatives. Children of all ages attend Classical Series Concerts free of charge, and Sherman High School students help record these concerts. Elementary and preschool students enjoy in-school chamber music performances, and orchestra students work with Sherman Symphony musicians to prepare for concerts and competitions.

Band, orchestra and choir students attend the Symphony-operated Austin College Summer Music Camp each June. According to Education Director Leslie Whelan, “While the Children’s Educational Concerts offer a first look at the orchestra, we strive to support aspiring musicians at all ages and all levels of involvement because we want as many students as possible to reap the benefits of an education that includes music.”

About the Sherman Symphony Orchestra

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra has been a vital part of the Sherman community for 59 years. Today it remains the only orchestra between the Dallas Metroplex and Oklahoma City. The Symphony creates a collective civic identity by sharing music and music education, and it has been dedicated to providing convenient access to orchestral music since it was founded in 1966 under Cecil Isaac. In 1992, Daniel Dominick became the Music Director. The Sherman Symphony has performed in downtown Sherman’s 1,200 seat Kidd-Key Auditorium since 2002 after 36 years of concerts in Wynne Chapel at Austin College. Visit www.shermansymphony.org to learn more.