Thanks to grants from the McCutchen Foundation and the Paterson Children’s Foundation, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra (RSO) has launched its expanded educational and community engagement program. Beyond our regular four-concert season at Ridgewood’s West Side Presbyterian Church, we further engage music enthusiasts of all ages in Northern New Jersey through our partnerships with schools, libraries, parks, and senior facilities.
Education Programs
The future of classical music depends on educating our children. The RSO considers educational outreach an essential investment, to build orchestra and audience membership. Festival Strings programs bring together local middle-school string players to learn and perform. We offer a scholarship program for high school seniors who play in the Orchestra. Members of the Orchestra will also visit elementary schools to demonstrate their instruments.
Community Engagement
We will offer symphonic and chamber performances in other communities throughout northern New Jersey. This will expand performance opportunities for our members and bring our music to new audiences. Prior to each orchestral concert, we will present free pre-concert talks to demystify the music to be performed and maximize appreciation of the concert.
