CLASSical Music Outreach’s Third Grade Program consists of two series of in-class demonstrations with quartets of Plymouth Symphony Orchestra musicians:  String & Woodwind demonstrations in Fall, and Brass & Percussion in the Spring.  The goal of these visits is to introduce children to the instrument families of the orchestra, teach them how to recognize individual instruments, and demonstrate how each instrument produces sound.  Musicians actively encourage students to take up an instrument are selected for their ability to engage children. Content for all demonstrations is arranged by PCSS Music Director and Conductor, Nan Washburn.  Last year this program reached 2,357 3rd grade students in the Plymouth-Canton and Wayne-Westland school districts.
 
The Fourth Grade Program consists of one in-class “Prelude” demonstration with a string quartet of Plymouth Symphony Orchestra musicians and the “Koncert for Kids”: a special concert programmed specifically for fourth graders.  Normally scheduled in February, the Prelude is designed to give students a preview of the music they will be hearing at the upcoming concert, which takes place in March, as well as learning about concert etiquette.  In addition to a musical program designed to engage a younger audience, at the concert students will learn about different instrument families, composers, the composition process, and conducting (including a “conduct along”!).
 
The PSO presents four, 45-minute “Koncerts for Kids” annually: two at Salem High School Auditorium in Canton for approximately 1,040 fourth grade students, and two at Wayne Memorial High School’s Stockmeyer auditorium for approximately 1,460 fourth grade students.  The featured piece is Andre Myers’ work, Paddle to the Sea, based on the 4th grade curriculum’s literature and social studies book by H.C. Holling and commissioned by the PCSS in 2004 specifically for these performances.  This piece is a twelve- minute narrated work, with text taken from the book, and composed with the input of numerous fourth grade classrooms (see press clippings). The composer also serves as narrator during the performance and discusses the composition process with the young audience.  Content for both the demonstration and concert is selected and arranged by PSO Music Director and Conductor, Nan Washburn.
 
In addition to the in-class visits and “Koncert for Kids,”  the PCSS recently developed a DVD for use in conjunction with the CLASSical Music Outreach programs or by itself, “Making Stories, Making Music” is a 30-minute educational DVD designed to encourage children to compose their own music.  The program is hosted by Andre Myers, composer of Paddle to the Sea, who explains how music composition is similar to the writing process.  It will allow children to meet the composer and get to know him and his background in composing music, with excerpts from Paddle to the Sea and some of Andre’s very first compositions.  Developed to complement the elementary level Language Arts curricula, this engaging program is ideal for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who are learning about the writing process.
 
The Koncert for Kids, along with CLASSical Music Outreach, was established in 1998 by Don Soenen, past PCSS Board President, and Luan Brownlee, PCSS Board Member and retired Plymouth-Canton Community Schools teacher.  Music Director and Conductor Nan Washburn programs the concert every year to feature a broad range of orchestral literature specifically geared towards 4th grade students.  Included in the 45 minute concert are: instrument demonstrations; a lesson and conduct-a-long, where the students conduct the orchestra from the audience; the performance of ethnically diverse repertoire; and a narrated literature work by a composer.
 
In addition to Plymouth Symphony musicians (42), 4th grade students (2,500), and adults (approx. 100) in attendance at the “Koncert for Kids,” other participants (12) are involved as members of the Education Committee.  This committee provides general oversight and long range planning for both the CLASSical Music Outreach program as well as the Koncert for Kids.  Its members include music teachers, 3rd and 4th grade classroom teachers, administrators from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, and artistic and administrative staff from the Plymouth Symphony.

Our founding began 1945, when local residents Evelyn and Carl Groschke invited a group of friends to their home to join them in playing instrumental music.  At the same time, Mr. Paul Wagner, Director of the Plymouth High School Music Program, wanted to organize an orchestra.  They joined forces and the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) was born, giving its first public performance on April 20, 1947.  Rehearsals were held at the Groschke home.