RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON TODAY!
NEW MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE 5/16/2025!

MSO TICKETS FOR 2024-2025 SEASON ON SALE NOW!

Programs

Preludes

Mobile Symphony musicians teach general music to K – 2nd grade classes in a school, one day a week for 25 weeks.
More Information

Preludes: Music Enrichment for 1st and 2nd graders

Preludes is a program in which Mobile Symphony musicians teach general music to all first and second grade classes at a school one day per week for 25 weeks.

Preludes teaching artists are professional musicians who are trained to bring a depth of knowledge and excitement to the music lesson plans. The musicians build upon basic music instruction at the individual partner schools and introduce musical instruments, music terminology, the orchestra and help children awaken the musical talents that lie within. These talents can lead the child to play an instrument, or enjoy music as an informed audience member. Preludes lay the foundation for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to take the MSO Strings Class. In addition, Preludes is designed to provide classroom teachers, through observation, the knowledge and confidence to include enhanced music activities in their curriculum.

2024-2025 Participating Schools:

Mobile & Baldwin County Public Schools

Council Traditional School

Holloway Elementary School

Kate Shepard Elementary School

Mary B. Austin Elementary School

Old Shell Road Magnet School

Rockwell Elementary School

Spencer-Westlawn Elementary School

Stonebridge Elementary School

For more information, contact Education Director Daniela Pardo at 251-432-2010 or daniela@mobilesymphony.org.

Strings in Schools

Mobile Symphony musicians give group violin, viola and cello lessons to 2nd – 12th grade students.

More Information

Strings in Schools are group violin, viola and cello lessons taught by professional musicians from the Mobile Symphony.  Students can participate in a variety of in-school and after-school programs.

Strings Class instructors are all accomplished professional musicians with the Mobile Symphony who encourage students to reach their full potential.  The instructors provide students with basic music theory training in addition to instrumental technique.  Students also receive opportunities throughout the year to perform as a group for small audiences at their schools and in their community.

Instrument Information

All students need to be sized for their instrument by either a strings class instructor or salesperson at the music store.

String instruments can be purchased or rented from several local and online music stores. Click store for a cost estimate.

We also recommend purchasing from the following web sites:

2025-2026 Participating Schools

Click on the school to download their registration form.

**All registration forms can be submitted by email to Daniela at daniela@mobilesymphony.org**

BALDWIN COUNTY

For more information, contact Daniela Pardo at (251) 432-2010

Summer Programs

Keep playing your instrument during June and July and learn new skills under the expert guidance of a professional string teacher.
More Information

2025 SUMMER STRINGS WITH THE MOBILE SYMPHONY

MOBILE
June 17, 19, 24 & 26
July  15, 17, 22 & 24

FAIRHOPE
June 16, 18, 23 & 25
July 14, 16, 21 & 23

SUMMER SUZUKI INSTITUTE (Mobile and Fairhope)

Pre-Twinkle class no experience: Ages 4-7, violin, viola, cello. Instrument not included. Parents must attend class.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Suzuki Institute 2025 – Mobile

Summer Suzuki Institute 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER MUSIC THEORY IS FUN (Mobile and Fairhope)

LEVEL I – Grades 4-6. Note reading fundamentals, basic musical symbols and concepts, melodic and rhythmic ear training.

LEVEL II – Grades 7-12. More advanced musical concepts and ear training. Circle of fifths, intervals, key and time signatures, etc. Materials will be provided.

For more information and to register click here:

Music Theory is Fun 2025 – Mobile

Music Theory is Fun 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER MOBILE BEGINNER STRINGS (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 2-6: violin, viola, cello. No experience. Instrument not included.
For more information and to register click here:

Beginner Summer Strings 2025 – Mobile

Beginner Summer Strings 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER STRINGS- ANDANTE GROUP (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 2-3: violin, viola, cello, bass. 6 months to 1 year of experience. Instrument not included. Note reading fundamentals. Proper posture and basic bow technique. Music will be provided.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Strings 2025 – Mobile

Summer Strings 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER STRINGS- ALLEGRO GROUP (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 4-5: violin, viola, cello, bass. 2+ years experience. Instrument not included. Note reading review and rhythm exercises. Bow techniques. Music will be provided.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Strings 2025 – Mobile

Summer Strings 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER STRINGS- VIVACE GROUP (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 6-7: violin, viola, cello, bass. 3+ years experience. Instrument not included. More advanced techniques, scales, arpeggios and repertoire. Music will be provided.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Strings 2025 – Mobile

Summer Strings 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER STRINGS – PRESTO GROUP (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 8-10: violin, viola, cello, bass. 4+ years of experience. Instrument not included. Advanced repertoire and techniques: introduction to vibrato, shifting and spiccato. Music will be provided.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Strings 2025 – Mobile

Summer Strings 2025 – Fairhope

SUMMER CHAMBER ENSEMBLES (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 6-12: violin, viola, cello, bass. 4+ years experience. Instrument not included. Music will be provided.

In Fairhope, we will be collaborating with the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival.

For more information and to register click here:

Summer Chamber Ensembles 2025 – Mobile

Summer Chamber Ensembles 2025 – Fairhope

For more information and to register, please contact Daniela Pardo at (251)432-2010 or daniela@mobilesymphony.org

Mobile Symphony Suzuki Institute

The Suzuki Method combines a music teaching method with a philosophy, which embraces the total development of the child. Dr Suzuki’s guiding principle was “Character first, ability second”.
More Information

“If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” – Shinichi Suzuki.

The Mobile Symphony Suzuki Institute is based on the teaching philosophy of Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed.”

He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. Listening to music every day is important, and constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children ages 4-7 are accepted for violin, viola or cello. Parents or guardians must be present and engaged at all times

Summer Suzuki Institute 2025 – Mobile

Summer Suzuki Institute 2025 – Fairhope

String Academy and Eastern Shore Strings

Two training ensembles for intermediate level violin, viola, cello and bass students.

Eastern Shore Strings – Wednesdays 4:45 – 5:45 PM – Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship

String Academy – Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Larkins Music Center

More Information
The MSO String Academy and Eastern Shore Strings are two training ensembles for intermediate level violin, viola, cello and bass students.  Some of the goals of the Mobile String Academy and the Eastern Shore Strings are to build and develop basic orchestral playing skills and to learn new string techniques to prepare its members to join Chamber Strings and later on the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Students interested in playing with the String Academy or the Eastern Shore Strings should carefully read the proficiency requirements below and fill out the application form.  The instructor may request that students play for them before acceptance into the group.

Mobile String Academy Application 2024
Eastern Shore Strings Application 2024

For more information, contact Daniela Pardo at (251) 432-2010 or at
daniela@mobilesymphony.org

This program has been made possible, in part, with support from ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players.

Thank you!

Chamber Strings

Enhance your musicianship through a more advanced string ensemble.

Mondays 4:30 – 6:00 PM – Larkins Music Center

More Information

Play more advanced repertoire, polish your string techniques and learn new ones, perform exciting music and make new friends that also LOVE playing violin, viola, cello or bass!

Chamber Strings Proficiency Requirements:

  • At least 3 years of playing experience on their instrument
  • Violin: 3-octave G major scale and arpeggio. Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent.
  • Viola: 3-octave C major scale and arpeggio. Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent
  • Cello: 3-octave C major scale and arpeggio. Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent
  • Bass: G or F 2-octave major scale. Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent.
  • Private lessons are required

Auditions for new members and current members who would like to win a principal position will be held Monday, August 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM

New member audition excerpts can be found below:

Violin

Any two octave scale except G major

A solo piece at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 3

Viola

Any two octave scale except C major

A solo piece at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 2

Cello

Any two octave scale except C major

A solo piece at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 2

Bass

Any two octave scale except F major

A solo piece at a level equivalent to Suzuki Book 2

For more information and to register, please contact Daniela Pardo at 251-432-2010 or daniela@mobilesymphony.org

Chamber Strings Application 2024

This program has been made possible, in part, with support from ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players.

Thank you!

Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra

Offers young instrumental musicians throughout the Gulf Coast an opportunity for growth and development by preparing, studying and performing various genres of orchestral literature.
Learn More

Young People’s Concerts

Live, full orchestra performance at the Saenger Theatre during the school day for students K-6.

Big Red Ticket

Students K-12 are invited to attend the MSO Sunday matinee Classics concerts for free, when accompanied by a paying adult.
More Information
The Mobile Symphony’s Big Red Ticket (BRT) program offers FREE tickets for students in grades K-12 that can be redeemed through the Mobile Symphony box office for free admission to Sunday Classical performances. Students must be accompanied by a paying adult. Please limit two students to one adult. Big Red Ticket reservations must be made in person at the box office (257 Dauphin Street) or by calling the box office at 251.432.2010.  Note: Children under 5 years of age are not permitted at Symphony performances.

The Big Red Ticket is available for the following performances

  • Heroes & Villains Sunday, September 17, 2023
  • Beethoven & Blue Jeans Sunday, November 19, 2023
  • Firebird Sunday, January 21, 2024
  • Strings Attached Sunday, March 10, 2024
  • Mozart’s Requiem Sunday, April 7, 2024
  • A Latin Rhapsody Sunday, May 19, 2024

Sponsored by:

In-School Ensembles

Symphony ensembles are available to perform for school assemblies throughout the Gulf Coast. In-School Ensembles reach more than 1,000 students every year across south Alabama.
More Information
Mobile Symphony musicians and guest artists visit Mobile and Baldwin County Schools for 45-minute assemblies. These performances give students the opportunity to see and hear the instruments of the orchestra up close. In addition to hearing the instruments, students get to talk to musicians and guest artists about what it is like to play a musical instrument, how they started playing music, and what their lives are like.

In some cases, Mobile Symphony also brings a “Musical Instrument Petting Zoo” to the school so that following the assembly students can touch and try to play the instruments they have just heard.

In-School Ensembles

Mobile Symphony ensembles are available to perform for an assembly at your school. All ensembles perform up to two 45-minute back-to-back shows. To book an ensemble, please contact Daniela Pardo at 251-432-2010

String Quartet

Members of the Mobile Symphony string section present a program of an all American music set in a historical context.  The program includes selections written by John Phillip Sousa, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and John Williams.

For more information, contact Daniela Pardo at 251-432-2010

Musical Petting Zoo

Miniature Mozarts and budding Bachs will be able to hear, see, touch and learn to make sound on musical instruments. Members of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra engage young children with a hands-on introduction to the instruments of the orchestra, including brass, wind, strings and percussion.

Instrument Exchange

Have a violin that’s collecting dust in the attic? What about a French horn that your teenager has long since outgrown? The MSO accepts new and gently-used instruments so that every child who desires to play a musical instrument has access to instruments. The MSO will pay to refurbish or repair all instruments that are still in good condition. Instruments can be dropped off at the Larkins Center at 257 Dauphin Street, or at M&S Music.

About MSO Education

The Mobile Symphony Orchestra is introducing the next generation to the joy of music making through MSO Education Programs. Through this multi-pronged education program, children of all ages along the Gulf Coast can hear, see, touch, and learn to play musical instruments of the orchestra, cultivating both the love of listening and the love of playing music. Mobile Symphony Orchestra’s Education Programs have been an integral part of the Mobile Symphony’s mission since the organization was founded. Over the years, the MSO has reached tens of thousands of children with the highest quality music education programs.
Follow Us On Facebook

Education Faculty

Director of Education
Daniela Pardo

Program Coordinator
Ben Harper

Preludes Instructors
Andres Alean
Ashley Overby
Dr. Silvia Suárez
Leslie Ann Middleton

Strings Instructors
Andrés Alean
Dr. Andrea Beltrán Landers
Ashley Overby
Daniela Pardo
Dr. Silvia Suárez
José Sunderland
Elizabeth Weaver

Director, Chamber Strings
Leonard Ligon

Director, String Academy and Eastern Shore Strings
Daniela Pardo