Schools to Symphony

Each spring, the Eureka Symphony and Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) invite students to embark on a musical adventure with a free, live symphony concert during the school day. For many, this will be their first encounter with the thrilling sound of a full orchestra, performed in the stunning Arkley Center for the Performing Arts. This immersive experience introduces students to the rich world of symphonic music, showcasing a wonderful array of instruments and inspiring a lifelong curiosity for the art of music-making.

The experience is designed to be an enriching one, giving young people an insight into the creation of music and inspiring students to learn to play an instrument. That inspiration is important, since research has shown that playing an instrument contributes to improved reading and math skills.

The Eureka Symphony and the HCOE provide teachers with a curriculum specially designed to help them prepare their students to get the most out of this special concert experience. We also work hand in hand with HCOE and Arkley staff to manage the logistics of getting nearly 1,300 students to the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts.

The Schools to Symphony program is made possible through generous donations plus the enthusiasm and commitment of our musicians and Board members. However, the expenses to provide this concert free to students rises each year. If you, too, believe in this program and how it enriches and inspires our schoolchildren, any donation on your part would be welcome. If you would like more information, contact us at eurekasymphony@gmail.com or call 707-845-3655 #2.

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Musicians to Schools

Musicians to Schools is a longstanding program of the Eureka Symphony where orchestra members visit classes in local schools to introduce classical instruments, increase music awareness, and generate enthusiasm
for playing instruments. 

Small groups of orchestra members play short pieces of music, explain the instruments and music, and provide a question and answer period.

What Makes Musicians to Schools Unique:

  • The program focuses on 4th and 5th grades when many students are deciding which instruments they want to learn
  • Eureka Symphony orchestra members volunteer to participate in the Musicians to Schools program
  • Orchestra members form small groups of two to five players
  • Orchestra members decide which musical pieces they will present
  • Orchestra member groups do their own coordination with local schools
  • Presentations are tailored to each class