Close Encounters of the Orchestral Kind

In the middle of his weekly bath, Alvin the Alien falls out of the Big Dipper and lands on the stage of Old Cabell Hall. Hear what happens when he finds a conductor’s baton on the podium! The Charlottesville Symphony will present a fascinating tour of famous orchestral works with a science fiction theme. We will explore the families of the orchestra, enjoy the expressive nature of music, and learn how a beautiful melody can energize us. Join Alvin as he has a “Close Encounter” with an orchestra for the first time, and hear how we help Alvin find his way home!

Close Encounters of the Orchestral Kind

has been made possible by generous support from:

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Brown Fund for Youth Concerts
Richard M. and Tessa G. Ader Endowed Fund for Music Education
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
Individual contributors to the Charlottesville Symphony Society Annual Fund
Department of Music at the University of Virginia

Youth Concert History

Each October, the Charlottesville Symphony presents two free Youth Concerts in Old Cabell Hall for area fourth and fifth graders.  These forty-five minute performances introduce students to orchestral instruments and serve as a recruiting tool for school band and orchestra programs.  Students are invited to attend the concerts in the academic year before they have the opportunity to join their own school ensembles, assisting children in making educated choices about what instrument they would like to play.  They are always popular with students, and serve for many as their first experience with live orchestral music.  The concerts have enthusiastic support from local music teachers, who consider the concerts a part of their school’s music curriculum.

The Symphony’s first Youth Concerts were presented in 1977.  Past programs include: A Musical Menagerie, Score One for the Orchestra, A Musical Forecast, Close Encounters of the Orchestral Kind, and Beethoven, Back to the Future.

Virtual Youth Concert Information

Our virtual youth concert was so popular in recent years that we have decided to continue to offer a streamed option.  We recorded our live performances in October 2023, and the digital version will be available for viewing from January 2, 2024 through February 29, 2024.

Who is eligible to view the video performance:

While our annual concert is designed for students in fourth and fifth grades, we are certain that music teachers can share the video with students of all ages in meaningful ways, and we encourage them to do so.

Reservations and Other Information

We will accept reservations beginning on Monday, December 18, 2023.  Details will be provided in the invitation.

The Digital Youth Concert Invitation will be posted here soon.

Digital Youth Concert Study Guide

YouTube Links to the Music

Suggested Activities Related to 4th and 5th Grade Virginia Standards of Learning

Access and reservation information for the digital concert will be posted in December.

For further information about the Digital Youth Concert, please contact education@cvillesymphony.org.

In-Person, Thursday, October 12, 2023

At 10:00AM and 11:30AM

Old Cabell Hall, UVA

Save the Date

Who is eligible to attend the live concert:

Fifth graders from the Albemarle, Buckingham, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rockingham, Staunton, and Waynesboro Public Schools; and fourth graders from the Charlottesville City Schools are invited to attend. Additionally, we are pleased to welcome fourth and fifth grade students from private schools or who are home-schooled in the Charlottesville area. Due to space limitations, we ask each school to limit to one grade level only. Grade-combined classes, please contact us for special instructions.

Reservations

We will accept reservations beginning on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.  Details are provided in the invitation.

2023 Youth Concerts Information

Youth Concert Invitation

Study Guide

YouTube Links to the Music

Suggested Activities Related to Virginia Standards of Learning

Information Letter for Attendees

SOCIAL STORY - Attending a Charlottesville Symphony Youth Concert at Old Cabell Hall

Directions, Bus Instructions & Parking

Bus and Car Driving Directions specific to the Youth Concerts

Bus Drop-off/Pick-up/Car Parking Map

Map of UVA Grounds with Bus Drop-off and Car Parking Locations

Seating Information

General Seating Information

Seating Chart for the 10:00am Concert

Seating Chart for the 11:30am Concert

How to Enter the Concert Hall for the 10:00am Concert

How to Enter the Concert Hall for the 11:30am Concert

Exiting the Concert Hall

Youth Concert Evaluation    (for teachers, administrators and parent coordinators)

For further information about the Youth Concert, please contact education@cvillesymphony.org.