Simply Symphonic is a comprehensive in-school education program that supports cultural objectives related to symphonic music that can be integrated into all facets of learning.  The program is strategically designed to teach to Washington State Essential Learning Requirements in science, math, reading and communication, as well as new arts standards for music to be implemented in 2008.  Simply Symphonic is provided at minimal cost to public, private and home school fifth-grade students in Pierce County and adjacent areas.  Schools with high percentages of students receiving free and reduced lunch rates participate at no cost and are given priority access to in-school musician residencies.   

Simply Symphonic reaches over 75% of the fifth-graders in Pierce County.  The annual cost to provide the program’s classroom teaching tools, in-school residencies and presentations by professional musicians and the six full orchestra concerts at the Pantages Theater is significant, however, the Tacoma Symphony strives to make this program as accessible as possible for all students.  A nominal fee of $3.00 is charged per student and as many as 1,000 students who receive free or reduced lunch rates attend at no charge each year.  This means that more than 85% of the financial resources required to make this program available must come from community investments, including foundation grants, corporate sponsorships and individual donations.

The program begins in March following the distribution of professionally produced Simply Symphonic curriculum guides and instructional CDs to classrooms in fifteen school districts in Pierce County and the surrounding area.  In April and May, musician residencies take place at several of the participating schools.  Schools are selected for residencies based upon the volume of students receiving free or reduced lunch rates.  (Forty-one percent of the schools participating in Simply Symphonic have a free or reduced lunch rate of 40% or more and several schools have rates well above 85%.)  The residencies are conducted by musicians from the Tacoma Symphony who will engage students by using musical examples, visual aids and discussion topics related to materials contained in the curriculum guide and CD.  Hands-on exercises demonstrate the correlation between musical theory and scientific principles as they relate to broader learning concepts, as well as teamwork, communication and the commitment required to achieve academic and professional success.  Schools not participating in the residency portion of the program integrate curriculum materials into classroom activities and learning objectives while also preparing students for the full concert experience.

Simply Symphonic culminates in May when more than 6,000 students, teachers and parents attend one of the six performances presented by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra at the Pantages Theater.  The concert is structured to relate back to all of the in-school components and students are called upon to be actively involved throughout the performance.  On the day of the Simply Symphonic concerts there is incredible energy and excitement that has been building throughout the many weeks of classroom preparation.  The students are “in the know” because they have been learning all about orchestras and the teamwork and discipline required to create a symphony concert.  They’ve listened to and talked about many of the pieces they will be hearing.  For most this is a brand new experience – an experience that will inspire many to explore their own scholastic and creative potential in new ways.

Those interested in supporting Simply Symphonic can contact the TSO development office at 253-272-7264.

Simply Symphonic is the 2003 recipient of the Pierce County Arts Commission Margaret K. Williams Award and is a National Endowment for the Arts Learning for the Arts and Children 2005 funding recipient.