Learning in Concert

Learning in Concert is an in-school partnership program with the NBSO and over forty local elementary schools in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It uses a concept-based arts integration model where a musical concept is explored alongside other art and academic areas that authentically share the same concept. The Learning in Concert program is designed as a unified, comprehensive, three-phase curriculum project spanning an entire school year. The program begins with an in-school, arts integrated assembly concert program, followed by individual classroom lessons partnering the NBSO Education Director with individual classroom teachers and students, primarily third graders. The third phase is the culminating event where students’ year-long creative work and collaborations are featured and performed at the annual Young People’s Concerts. More than 8,000 students will participate this year, including all second and third grade students from New Bedford Public Schools. 

Learning in Concert 2024-2025: The Orchestra as Ecosystem

Within an ecosystem, balance is key in maintaining a harmonious interaction among a biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.

Balance is also a vital component in music. In this program, we will explore the concept of balance in musical orchestration and texture, and among the living parts of a salt marsh ecosystem.

• Children will hear an in-school musical performance by the NBSO Education Trio.

• Children will discover the connectivity of living parts in a salt marsh ecosystem, and connectivity among musical parts in a piece of music.

• Children will interact with the NBSO Salt Marsh Model to explore various disruptions and solutions to salt marsh conservation.

• Children will orchestrate musical parts to create a musical representation of a salt marsh ecosystem in a state of balance.

• Children will attend a concert with the NBSO, and hear music that illustrates the living parts of various ecosystems. The orchestra will also perform some of the orchestrations created during the classroom visits.

Contact Terry at twolkowicz@nbsymphony.org to bring this Learning in Concert program to your school.

View Past Programs