A 4th Grade Tradition for 20 years!
“Ah, music,” he said, wiping his eyes.
Albus Dumbledore
“A magic beyond all we do here!”―
The Children’s Concert Series has been a rousing success. It is a “…tremendous educational and cultural opportunity for our young people and helps schools fulfill the National standards and Michigan benchmarks for music education”
Lisa Meyer, Music Resource Teacher.
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.
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.
Dearborn Public Schools graciously provides transportation for all 4th graders to attend this educational field trip every spring. Homeschoolers are also welcome to register.
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.
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.
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).
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, and numerous individual donors.
To support the Dearborn Symphony Children’s Concerts, please visit our Donate page or call the office at (313) 565-2424.