Musical Petting Zoo
In addition to our traveling ensembles, we have a program called the Musical Petting Zoo. Zookeeper Ralph "Crocodile" Thomas brings a variety of orchestral instruments into the schools for a hands-on introduction to the VSO. After he explains and demonstrates each instrument, the children get a chance to play on their own, under the supervision of "handlers."

Musicians-in-the-Schools
Our core outreach program, Musicians-in-the-Schools includes 6 different programs that are available for in-school presentations. Concerts include

demonstration of instruments, a wide sampling of repertoire, audience participation, and a certain amount of zany humor. These groups normally present three 45-minute shows a day, which can be in three different schools if they are close enough geographically. All presentations are most appropriate for elementary age students. The cost is $250 per performance, or $750 for a full day. Subsidy money will likely be available if needed this year, so don't be shy about contacting us!

The performing groups are:

Fanfare (Brass Trio)
Raising Cane (Woodwind Trio)
Fiddlesticks! (String Trio)
Harp & Soul (Harp Soloist) - geared toward junior high students;
     2 performances @ $175 each per day maximum
DrumShtick (Percussion Trio)
93 Strings (Harp Duo)

• Either book the ensemble for your school for the entire day (3 performances) or arrange to share a day with nearby schools.
• Give us a choice of several dates.
• Try to be flexible about which ensemble you book.

Orchestral Youth Concerts
"That's Classical Music?!"
The full Vermont Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Anthony Princiotti, sets out to convince a typical teenage that classical music 1) is more familiar than you think, 2) isn't just confined to the concert hall, 3) can be way cool. Music drawn from TV shows, movies, commercials, and cartoons helps make the case. Last presented in 1997, this program got rave reviews from students and teachers alike. Our youth soloist is 13-year-old cellist Rebecca Landell; our typical teenager is Steve Schubart. Composers include Rossini, Glinka, Dukas, Prokofiev, Liszt, Grieg, John Williams, and others.