Music Education That Reaches Young Audiences Where They Are
Student & Youth Programs in Shreveport for schools seeking interactive orchestral learning experiences
SSO on the GO - Programs for Elementary Schools
Sym-phonics
Musical adventure designed for Pre-K and Kindergarten, where a musician and storyteller bring tales to life through the magic of music and literature. Children will sing, listen, and imagine as stories unfold in a world where words and melodies dance together!
Musical Families
Presentations and performances geared towards 1st -5th graders about one of the families of the orchestra. Choose from the string family (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), the woodwind family (flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon), or the brass family (French horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba).
To Schedule a visit to your school or classroom, complete the form found here. Please submit requests at least 30 days prior to the requested date.
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra delivers music education programs directly into classrooms, performance spaces, and school auditoriums throughout Shreveport and North Louisiana. Students gain exposure to live orchestral music through structured sessions that combine performance, instruction, and interactive demonstrations. Schools across the region schedule these programs to supplement existing music curricula with professional-led instruction that introduces instrumental technique, music theory, and performance practice in formats designed for specific age groups.
SSO on the GO brings musicians into elementary classrooms for performances and lessons tailored to young learners. Sym-phonics pairs live musicians with storytelling to hold the attention of Pre-K and Kindergarten students, using narrative structure to introduce musical concepts and instrument families. Musical Families presentations give students hands-on exposure to string, woodwind, and brass instruments through demonstrations that show how sound is produced, how technique affects tone, and how different instruments contribute to ensemble performance.
Schedule an SSO on the GO visit to bring professional orchestral instruction into your school or educational setting.
What Middle and High School Musicians Gain from Professional Coaching
Music Mentors sessions provide small-group coaching for middle and high school band and orchestra students. Professional symphony musicians work directly with students on technique refinement, sight-reading accuracy, and ensemble balance. Mentor Clinics offer interactive workshops where students receive feedback on posture, bowing mechanics, breath control, and articulation—details that often go unaddressed in larger classroom settings.
Students leave these sessions with specific adjustments they can apply immediately during practice and rehearsal. Teachers report improved intonation, stronger section cohesion, and increased student confidence after working with symphony musicians who perform regularly and understand the technical demands of orchestral repertoire. Shreveport Symphony Orchestra structures these programs to complement existing school instruction rather than replace it, giving students access to professional-level feedback that accelerates their development.
Programs are scheduled based on school calendars and student availability. Sessions can be arranged for single visits or recurring engagements throughout the academic year. Educators coordinate directly with the orchestra to determine which program format best matches their students' skill levels and learning objectives.
Music Mentors - Programs for Middle and High Schools
Music Mentors
A symphony musician will provide a small-group coaching session or sectional for a portion of your orchestra or band class (maximum 15 students per group). Multiple coachings/sectionals can occur simultaneously; just tell us which sections you want our musicians to work with, and we will provide the necessary symphony musicians. Available for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
Mentor Clinics
Symphony musicians will lead an interactive workshop for your band or orchestra students (no maximum number of students).
Student Discovery Concerts
The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra's Student Discovery Series is a cornerstone of our educational outreach, designed to introduce elementary-aged students to the world of orchestra music in an engaging, accessible, and inspiring way. At the heart of this initiative are two Discovery Concerts held annually at the RiverView Theater, featuring the full symphony orchestra. These concerts will welcome an estimated 2,500 students in grades 3-5 from across Northwest Louisiana.
By cultivating these early musical experience, the Student Discovery Series helps foster not only future audiences for the arts, but also curious, creative learners!
Check back later to see what we have in store.
Questions Educators and Families Ask About Youth Programming
Schools and families across North Louisiana and East Texas use these
programs to introduce students to live orchestral music and instrument-specific instruction led by professional musicians.
What age groups do SSO educational programs serve?
Programs are designed for students ranging from Pre-K through high school, with content and delivery methods tailored to each developmental stage.
How do schools in Shreveport schedule SSO on the GO classroom visits?
Schools contact the symphony directly to arrange visits, and programs are scheduled based on educator availability and curriculum timing.
What happens during a Musical Families presentation?
Students see live demonstrations of string, woodwind, and brass instruments, hear how each produces sound, and learn how technique affects tone quality and volume.
How many students participate in Music Mentors coaching sessions?
Sessions are conducted in small groups to allow for individualized feedback on technique, posture, and musical interpretation.
Why do Mentor Clinics focus on technical details like bowing and breath control?
These foundational skills determine tone quality, intonation, and endurance, and students benefit from direct observation and correction by musicians who perform these techniques professionally.
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra works with educators and families to design programming that fits school schedules and learning goals. Contact the orchestra to discuss which educational programs align with your students' needs and arrange upcoming visits.