Programs
Preludes
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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.
2023-2024 Participating Schools:
Mobile & Baldwin County Public Schools
Council Traditional School
Holloway Elementary School
Mary B. Austin Elementary School
Old Shell Road Magnet School
Orchard Elementary School
Rockwell Elementary School
Spencer-Westlawn Elementary School
Stapleton Elementary
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.
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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.
- Andy’s Music 1412 Hillcrest Road Mobile, Al. 36695 (251) 633-8944
- Shar Music | www.sharmusic.com
We also recommend purchasing from the following web sites:
- Shar Music | www.sharmusic.com
- Concord Music Supplies https://www.concordmusic.com/
- Southwest Strings | www.swstrings.com
- Woodwind Brasswind | www.wwbw.com
2024-2025 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**
- Allentown Elementary School
- Austin Elementary School
- Barton Academy
- Clark Shaw Magnet School
- Collier Elementary School
- Council Traditional School
- Denton Magnet School
- Dodge Elementary School
- E.R. Dickson Elementary School
- Holloway Elementary School
- Kate Shepard Elementary School
- O’Rourke Elementary School
- Old Shell Road Magnet School
- Semmes Elementary School
- Wilmer Elementary School
BALDWIN COUNTY
- Belforest Elementary School
- Daphne East Elementary School
- Loxley Elementary School
- Rockwell Elementary School
- Spanish Fort Elementary School
- Stonebridge Elementary School
For more information, contact Daniela Pardo at (251) 432-2010
Summer Programs
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June 3rd-6th & 10th-13th
July 8th-11th & 15th-18th
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 2024 – Mobile
Summer Suzuki Institute 2024 – 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 2024 – Mobile
Music Theory is Fun 2024 – 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 2024 – Mobile
Beginner Summer Strings 2024 – 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 2024 – Fairhope updated 2
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 2024 – Fairhope updated 2
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 2024 – Fairhope updated 2
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 2024 – Fairhope updated 2
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 2024 – Mobile
Summer Chamber Ensembles 2024 – Fairhope
For more information and to register, please contact Daniela Pardo at (251)432-2010 or daniela@mobilesymphony.org
Mobile Symphony Suzuki Institute
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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 2023 Suzuki Registration Form
Fall 2023 Suzuki Registration Form
String Academy and Eastern Shore Strings
Eastern Shore Strings – Wednesdays 4:45 – 5:45 PM – Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship
String Academy – Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Larkins Music Center
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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
Mondays 4:30 – 6:00 PM – Larkins Music Center
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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 19, 2024 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
Young People’s Concerts
Big Red Ticket
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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
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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
Instrument Exchange
About MSO Education
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