San Francisco Symphony

Programs: Through its artistic, education and community programs, the san francisco symphony each year serves more than 400,000 bay area residents and visitors of every economic and cultural background in over 200 concerts. The symphony additionally reaches millions of others throughout the united states and abroad through touring, recording, the web, and radio and television broadcasts. The grammy award winning san francisco symphony is regarded internationally as one of the foremost american orchestras. Under music director michael tilson thomas, the symphony offers exciting classical programs with internationally acclaimed guest artists in its 100+ concert subscription series. Other annual series include the great performers series, music for families and the chamber music series. In addition, the orchestra offers free community concerts, an annual summer festival and december holiday concerts. The symphony provides an extensive array of music education programs for youth and adults, most of which are free of charge. For young children, there is adventures in music, a comprehensive music education program in every san francisco public elementary school serving over 25,000 children and concerts for kids, reaching nearly 35,000 school children each year from around the greater bay area. Other programs include a special web site for children, www. Sfskids. Org, offering youngsters around the world an introduction to music, the instrument training program for middle and high school music students; the howard skinner student forum, offering greatly discounted tickets to college students; and free tickets for high school and college music students. For adults, the symphony presents inside music talks, which are free of charge before each concert. Other programs reach economically disadvantaged bay area residents and include free outdoor concerts and several programs distributing discounted and complimentary tickets. The symphony's wide-ranging recording and media projects make classical music more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, including a national pbs-tv series of documentaries and concerts, nationally syndicated radio programs, and interactive websites.