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Education Programs

Preludes

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

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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.

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.

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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

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”.
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“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 2026 – Mobile

Summer Suzuki Institute 2026 – Fairhope

Summer Programs

Keep playing your instrument during June and July and learn new skills under the expert guidance of a professional string teacher.
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2026 SUMMER STRINGS WITH THE MOBILE SYMPHONY

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

FAIRHOPE
June 15, 17, 22 & 24
July 13, 15, 20 & 22

  • SUMMER SUZUKI INSTITUTE (Mobile and Fairhope)

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

Suzuki Institute Registration Form – Mobile

Suzuki Institute Registration Form – Fairhope

  • SUMMER MUSIC MAGIC LAB (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.

Music Magic Lab Registration Form – Mobile

Music Magic Lab Registration Form – Fairhope

  • SUMMER BEGINNER STRINGS (Mobile and Fairhope)

Grades 2-6: violin, viola, cello. No experience. Instrument not included.

Beginner Strings Registration Form – Mobile

Beginner Strings Registration Form – 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.

Summer Strings – Andante Registration Form – Mobile

Summer Strings – Andante Registration Form – 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.

Summer Strings – Allegro Registration Form – Mobile

Summer Strings – Allegro Registration Form – 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.

Summer Strings – Vivace Registration Form – Mobile

Summer Strings – Vivace Registration Form – 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.

Summer Strings – Presto Registration Form – Mobile

Summer Strings – Presto Registration Form – 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.

Summer Chamber Ensembles Registration Form – Mobile

Summer Chamber Ensembles Registration Form – Fairhope

 

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

The Bass-ics of Bass

Become a bass ace this summer with a brand new class: The BASS-ics of Bass! This class is for everyone (we even have smaller bass sizes to accommodate all heights!) Instruments will be provided, but if you’d like to rent or buy, we are happy to provide recommendations.

More Information

June 2, 9, 16, 23 & July 7, 14, 21, 28
5:30-6:30 PM

Larkins Music Center
257 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36602

    The Bass-ics of Bass Registration Form

    For more information or to register, please contact Leonard Ligon at (251)432-2010 or leonard@mobilesymphony.org

    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 2025
    Eastern Shore Strings Application 2025

    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.

    2025-2026
    Mondays, 4:30–6:00 PM
    Larkins Music Center

    2026-2027
    Tuesdays, 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 in August 2026. 

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

    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.

    Typically held on a Monday in January, check back soon for the YPC 2027 date!

    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

    • The Planets – Sunday, May 3, 2026
    • Spectacular – Sunday, October 11, 2026
    • Beethoven & Blue Jeans –  Sunday, November 8, 2026
    • Cellobration – Sunday, January 17, 2027
    • Four Seasons – Sunday, February 21, 2027
    • Emanuel Ax – Sunday, April 11, 2027
    • The Music of Star Wars – Sunday, May 2, 2027

    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.
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    Education Faculty

    Director of Education
    Daniela Pardo

    Program Coordinator
    Ben Harper

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

    Strings Instructors
    Andrés Alean
    Olivia Jean Enkey
    Dr. EunJin Kim
    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