Education Matters: Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Education Program

By Simone Knego | May 2023

For over 70 years, Sarasota Orchestra has been captivating music enthusiasts from around the world with exceptional performances and music education programs. Originally founded as The Florida West Coast Symphony in 1948, the symphony rebranded in 2008, taking the name Sarasota Orchestra and launching a new concert series and innovative concert formats.

Sarasota Orchestra is committed to three main objectives: providing exquisite performances, delivering top-notch musical education, and engaging with the community through outreach initiatives.

Sarasota Orchestra’s music education program offers many opportunities, including Sarasota Youth Orchestras, founded in 1959, comprising eight student ensembles, and the annual Summer Music Camp. Additionally, the Orchestra provides scholarships for music lessons and sponsors several outreach programs. One of its long-standing traditions, the Young Person’s Concerts, has been held since 1953 and brings the magic of symphonic music to nearly 10,000 fourth and fifth graders in Sarasota and Manatee County every fall. The Summer Music Camp program was added in 1977.

The symphony’s founders understood the importance of training the next generation of musicians and audiences, which is still the goal today. The education programs aim to develop talented musicians and cultivate a love for music and support for the arts among young people. 

According to Alyson Rozier, Director of Education for Sarasota Orchestra, “We know the statistics. We know the outcomes. Music education not only prepares the mind and fosters social skills but also instills the warmth and joy of participating in something greater than oneself. In a world where individual achievement is celebrated, music teaches the importance of teamwork. The ultimate goal is not about one person but the collective harmony of 30-80 individuals playing in unison.”

This year, the Summer Music Camp is scheduled for July 10th to the 21st at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center and is designed for children interested in learning to play musical instruments. The program is split into two sessions, with string instruments being taught in the morning from 9 am to 12 pm and band instruments in the afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm. Children entering third through 12th grade are welcome to join the string instruments session, while the band instruments session is open to those entering sixth grade up to 12th grade (ages 11 to 19).

The two-week program is affordable, costing $200 for intensive instruction. Thanks to the generosity of their donors, Sarasota Orchestra offers scholarship opportunities so that no child will be turned away due to financial difficulties. Rozier said, “We want to make music accessible to everyone. More than 50% of our students will receive scholarship money to attend camp. They receive anywhere from 20% of tuition to the full $200.  In addition, we probably offer between 30 to 50 instrument loans for the summer.”

The summer camp welcomes true beginners, so no prior experience with any instrument is necessary. The two-week program is unique as it provides a full ensemble experience, a technique class tailored to the same instrument and level, and an elective class every day. The elective courses vary each year but are all music-related, such as rhythm, music theory, ear training, African drumming, jazz improvisation, and jazz band. For parents whose children are considering exploring music, the summer program offers an excellent opportunity to try out different instruments and determine which their child prefers. The summer camp culminates with a concert for families to showcase what the children have learned during the 10-day program. 

According to Rozier, “Every year on the last day of camp, there’s always a child crying in the hallway because they don’t want camp to end. Many parents tell us that their kids love coming to our camp so much that they jump out of bed in the morning ready to go, even when they have to be coaxed to attend other camps or school. This is a testament to the type of program we offer and how much the children enjoy it.” It’s also an excellent way for the kids to meet children from other schools in both Sarasota and Manatee County that are passionate about music. 

The summer program offers an excellent pathway for young musicians. Many students start in the summer camp and have such a positive experience that they choose to continue with the year-round program, Sarasota Youth Orchestras. This program has eight ensembles, and every year students must audition to be accepted. On average, individuals remain part of each ensemble for two years, developing mastery in musical playing skills and techniques and enhancing their self-motivation, leadership abilities, and personal growth. In addition, students are coached by members of Sarasota Orchestra, and the String Ensembles can participate in a musicianship class aimed at developing their inner rhythm and style.

Similar to their summer camp, they provide loaner instruments, and scholarships are available to all students. However, for Sarasota Youth Orchestras, students must have some prior experience and meet specific grade-level requirements. In addition, the program allows for skill development and exploration of new music literature and techniques. Many of their faculty members are alums of the program, which is a testament to its success. Rozier continues, “We don’t necessarily aim to create professional musicians, but we will support and guide students if that is their goal. Our primary focus is to help students grow and develop a love for music that will stay with them forever.” Sarasota Youth Orchestras runs from September to April, with different ensembles meeting on various days depending on the level.

One example of Sarasota Youth Orchestra’s many success stories is a young musician named Luca Stine, who started playing the violin at the summer camp many years ago. He eventually joined the youth orchestra program and also began playing the trumpet. His experience with the summer camp ignited his passion for jazz and set him on the path to becoming a jazz trumpet major at the University of Miami, where he is about to graduate. Luca now performs around town with his jazz ensemble and is making a name for himself.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the summer camp or Sarasota Youth Orchestras, please contact Alyson Rozier at arozier@sarasotaorchestra.org, or visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org.