{"id":3769,"date":"2023-05-06T22:43:53","date_gmt":"2023-05-06T22:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dearbornsymphony.org\/wp\/?page_id=3769"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:28:00","slug":"childrens-concerts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dearbornsymphony.org\/wp\/youth\/childrens-concerts\/","title":{"rendered":"Children’s Concerts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A 4th Grade Tradition for over 20 years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This season\u2019s Children\u2019s Concert welcomes internationally acclaimed guest artist Karim Nagi<\/strong>, an Egyptian-born musician, composer, and teaching artist who has spent more than two decades sharing the rich traditions of Arab music and culture with audiences around the world. A dynamic multi-instrumentalist and folk dancer, Nagi has performed and lectured at leading universities and festivals across the United States and internationally, and has reached thousands of students through his nationally recognized educational program, Arabiqa<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this interactive performance on Thursday, April 9, 2026, students will be introduced to a wide range of traditional instruments and the stories behind them, experiencing firsthand the rhythms and sounds that define music across the Arab world. The program will culminate in a performance of Nagi\u2019s original work Soof Zikr<\/em>, presented in a special arrangement by Mohannad Al Zahabi<\/strong> for the Sunflower Chamber Orchestra, offering a vibrant and immersive musical journey that connects cultures through sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAh, music,” he said, wiping his eyes.
\u201cA magic beyond all we do here!\u201d\u2015<\/p>\nAlbus Dumbledore<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The Children\u2019s Concert Series has been a rousing success. It is a \u201c\u2026tremendous educational and cultural opportunity for our young people and helps schools fulfill the National standards and Michigan benchmarks for music education\u201d <\/em><\/p>\nLisa Meyer, Music Resource Teacher.<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the spring of 2004, Dearborn’s 4th grade students were invited to attend a live concert by the Dearborn Symphony. They packed the 1,200 seat Ford Community & Performing Arts Center and the overflow were given tickets to the next symphony concert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the attendance has grown with the schools in Dearborn, the 4th largest school district in Michigan, along with the addition of a 2nd concert on the same day. In 2023, the Crestwood district of Dearborn Heights was also invited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dearborn Public Schools graciously provides transportation for all 4th graders to attend this educational field trip every spring. Homeschoolers are also welcome to register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maestro Steven Jarvi works with the schools to provide content and other information so that teachers can present it in advance and the students are prepared for what they hear. They are also given instructions on how to act during live performances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During each 45 minute concert, the orchestra plays familiar tunes from Bach to Williams showcasing the different sections of the orchestra. Maestro Jarvi might even include a group demonstration on conducting! Watch this video. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an estimated 84% of students in the Dearborn School District of Arab descent, an orchestral arrangement of the folk tune “Gidi wa Hamar” always delights the children as they hear something from their own heritage. 2024 saw the addition of the Oud (traditional string instrument) and the Nay (traditional flute).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This annual program is sponsored by the school district, the mayor’s office and many organizations such as Kiwanis Club (since 2004), Friends of the Dearborn Symphony, Middle Eastern American Affairs Commission, Rotary Club of Dearborn Heights, Donald and Mary Kosch Foundation, Beaumont Healthcare, AAUW, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and numerous individual donors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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