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Home > Educational Outreach
Educational Outreach
Generously underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) the Northwest Symphony Orchestra's Composer-In-Residence and Symphony for Students programs provide educational enrichment to the area's local schools and communities. These programs have been highly successful and positively impacts the participants.
Michael Nicolella
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Acclaimed guitarist and composer Michael Nicolella serves the Northwest Symphony and our community in two valuable ways. First, he composes music that the orchestra performs, such as “Ten Years Passed,” which premiered at the orchestra’s 20th anniversary gala concert in May 2007.
The NWSO has performed two of his works to date—compositions that are consistently original, highly musical, and always well received by audiences. Second, as a musician, Michael has carved out a niche as an outreach performer in schools for students from preschool to high school, as well as for individuals with mental illness.
Education outreach is a central focus for Michael, and he has held student master classes and performances in 11 different Highline District schools, as well as throughout North America. “It is always a thrill to introduce (or reacquaint) classical music to an attentive young audience,” Michael says.
As a classically trained guitarist, he’s also not afraid of breaking out of the classical mold once in a while. “I performed a concert at the Highline Performing Arts Center for over 400 students ranging from third to 12th grade from 11 Highline schools".
I played music of Scarlatti, Piazzolla, Schumann, Albeniz, and myself on classical guitar, before ending with an arrangement of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Little Wing’ on solo electric guitar.
I was especially pleased—and amused—to read the collection of sincere and candid thank-you notes from the fourth grade students at Marvista Elementary, which were accompanied by a large card emblazoned with ‘YOU ROCK’ on the front. High praise indeed!”
Along with NWSO conductor Anthony Spain and Masguda Shamsutinova, Michael was part of our National Endowment for the Arts/City of SeaTac/City of Burien-sponsored education project for our 20th anniversary concert last May.
We hope to continue this important tradition of sharing classical music and its many forms with school-age children in our community, and our distinguished composer-in-residence Michael Nicolella has helped make a difference in the lives of many children.
If you are a parent, teacher, or school administrator and are interested in having a musical visit at your school in the Highline School District, please contact the Northwest Symphony Orchestra at 206-242-6321.
Symphony for Students
"Thank you for these good tickets. This was a chance of a lifetime."
— a child from Big Brothers Big Sisters of King & Pierce Counties
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The Northwest Symphony Orchestra provides educational enrichment and free student concert tickets for Seattle and Tacoma area school districts. Our Symphony for Students program is currently seeking opportunities to introduce school-age children to new ideas about music and the performing arts. Symphony for Students and NWSO's Educational Outreach program is generously underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts. Please contact NWSO at (206) 242-6321 if you are interested in a visit to your school or receiving free student concert tickets. |
Comments from students of Parkside Elementary
"Thank you for the free tickets and the opportunity to watch a symphony and learn about it more than I had. I have never been to a symphony and really enjoyed the music and performances given by the people. This experience has enlightened me in music and how pretty music can be. Also, I realized that there can be different moods to music including sad, mad, happy, joyous, and many more. This was a lifetime experience and I probably wouldn't have gone to if it wasn't for you. I wanted to thank you very much and I hope to see another symphony."
— Marissa P.
"Thank you for giving us 20 free tickets. I think the songs were the best ever. It was entertaining and lots of fun."
— Anna B.
"I really enjoyed your concert for Halloween in October! My favorite piece was the Russian Sailors Dance! It was very lively. I also enjoyed the costumes of the performers! It was also fun seeing three of the instruments I play - harp, cello, french horn. I loved the concert!"
— Ilana
"I was sitting in the front four seats during the show. I really enjoyed watching and listening to the music. My favorite piece was the second to the last one. All and all, my absolute favorite part of the symphony was the maestro and looking at the attire of the musicians. That is, besides the show itself."
— Hattie D.