SUPPORT YOUR SYMPHONY

The beloved Family Concerts, Meet the Instrument and Tiny Clips Series for young audiences move online for the 2021–2022 season, featuring performances by Seattle Symphony Young Artists, Indigenous storytellers and ARC Dance School.

From Family Concerts to Meet the Instrument to Tiny Clips, the Seattle Symphony’s educational programs share musical exploration with younger viewers and their families. And this 2021–2022 season, they’re being streamed for free to everyone on Seattle Symphony Live!

Transitioning these programs online for the current season provides families with increased flexibility to join in musical exploration. The decision was also made with consideration to the ongoing pandemic, as COVID-19 vaccine doses for younger children are still pending approval from the FDA.

The Symphony offers this free programming with supplemental educational materials in hopes that the broadcasts might serve as helpful resources to music educators in Washington state and beyond. Offerings include:

Family Concerts

Geared toward students ages 6–12, Family Concerts help build musical memories through timeless musical stories, holiday favorites and more!

This season features imaginative interpretations of classical and Indigenous musical works. Special guests Swil Kanim plays Native violin and Gene Tagaban performs dance and narration with the orchestra for Raven Dance in November; Swil Kanim returns for Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate’s Spirit Chief Names the Animal People in June. Also featured this season are guest performances by students of ARC Dance School, bringing Stravinsky’s Firebird to life. Seattle Symphony Douglas F. King Associate Conductor Lee Mills and conductor Jherrard Hardeman lead these fun concerts.

Family Concerts streams will be available online for one week after the initial broadcast.

Meet the Instrument

Each month, from February through June, Meet the Instrument series brings you behind the scenes with musicians of the Seattle Symphony as they share details about their instrument and its role in the orchestra. From playing their first note through writing music for advanced techniques, Meet the Instrument shares unique stories and helpful tips from musicians who’ll inspire your young ones on their musical journey!

The series is designed to fit first- to fifth-grade music curriculum. Enrich their experience with companion concert activities such as featured crafts and instrument exploration! Teacher Activity Guides aligned with state standards are available.

Meet the Instrument streams will be available online for the entire 2021–2022 season after the initial broadcast.

Tiny Clips

Seattle Symphony musicians share their favorite stories, songs and musical games in a series that introduces the littlest listeners (ages 5 and younger) to instruments of the orchestra. These interactive and fun virtual concerts are approximately 10 minutes long.

This season’s Tiny Clips concerts take you on an other-worldly adventure with popular planet-themed songs in a celebration of space, share musical jokes in a celebration of silliness, and inspire with tunes that celebrate dreams. Tiny Clips is hosted by Seattle Symphony horn player John Turman, who previously received a Ford Musician Award for his collaboration on the series.

Tiny Clips will be available online for the entire 2021–2022 season after the initial broadcasts.

Featured Performances by Young Artists

The 2021–2022 season’s Family Concert Series also brings three featured Seattle Symphony Young Artists to center stage. In December, pianist Emily Jeeho Park joins the orchestra in Family Concert: Winter. In March, violinist Amaryn Olmeda performs in Family Concert: Strength. Closing the series in June is violinist Ava Pakiam, who performs in Family Concert: Coyote’s Tale.

By providing performance opportunities like these to young musicians through the Seattle Symphony Young Artists program and the Merriman-Ross Family Young Composers Workshop, the Symphony continues its commitment to support the musical development of young artists in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Join us for season of musical exploration! To watch the Seattle Symphony’s Family Concerts, Meet the Instrument and Tiny Clips for free this season, please visit seattlesymphonyplus.org.