Music Outreach

The Utah Symphony Guild continues a program of free violin lessons (violins provided) to interested students in the after-school program at the Northwest Multi-Purpose Center. Group lessons are held two days a week. Students participating in the program come from Backman, Escalante, Franklin, Jackson, Meadowlark, Newman, North Star, Rose Park and Washington Elementaries in the Salt Lake School District. Four recitals give family, friends, and other students at the Center the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of these young musicians. Students participating in the violin program are offered a pair of complimentary tickets to each of the Utah Symphony Lollipops concerts throughout the year. At the final recital, students receive certificates for a full year’s participation, or one semester’s participation. .

In addition to the success of this program this last year , a NEW COLLABORATION was developed between our Utah Symphony Youth Guild and the Music Outreach Program. Volunteering at this program was added to the list of service opportunities for Youth Guild members. String players came early to set up chairs, stands and music, tune violins, and then also helped during the lessons. This not only made the teaching time more effective but was an educational experience for all the young musicians involved, either as mentors or students. An unexpected benefit developed when two of the upper level violin students who had observed the student volunteering took it upon themselves to stay after their class and help with the beginner class.