An important aspect of the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago’s mission is to make live classical music accessible to children. Today’s youth have a lot of choices when it comes to listening to and playing music. Rock, country and hip-hop dominate the airwaves. Sadly, classical music often takes a back seat. Listening to, and especially playing, classical music often requires patience, thoughtfulness, and discipline -- attributes not always valued in our fast-paced and automated, modern society -- for the listener to fully appreciate the vibrancy, beauty, and passion of this special musical tradition.

The Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra collaborates with Classical Kids Music Education and Chicago Opera Theater to create Music Inspires!, an exciting educational outreach program for Chicago Public Elementary Schools. Since its inception in 2012, Music Inspires! has introduced over 1,500 students to the exciting world of opera and symphonic music. 

The purpose of Music Inspires! is to bring the joys of classical music and the extraordinary life of composers to children in under-served communities. Music Inspires! is a week-long, elementary school program culminating with a live theatrical concert performance that features the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra, Classical Kids and the Chicago Opera Company. One of their most well received stage productions was Vivaldi’s Magic Ring, the story of an orphan girl who was reunited with her parents through the music of Antonio Vivaldi.

Music Inspires! Present & Past:

May 16-20, 2016 — Disney II Magnet School
February 22-26, 2016 — Healy Elementary School
May 11 - 15, 2015 — McAuliffe Elementary School
November 17 - 21, 2014 — George B. Armstrong International Studies Elementary School
June 2 - 6, 2014 — Courtenay Elementary
September 9 - 13, 2013 — Chase Elementary  
October 2012 — Reilly Elementary
Early 2012 — Lionel Hampton Elementary School

 

Introducing... KAIA STRING QUARTET!

Oistrakh Symphony is proud to announce that four of its members were recently chosen for a residency at WFMT!  
Please check out the Kaia String quartet website for more information on the quartet.