Symphony reaches out to schools Symphony reaches out to schools (March 17, 2004)

As some schools face budget cuts and the elimination of their music programs, the Peninsula Symphony is launching an outreach program to schools.

Musicians such as oboist Audrey Gore and tuba player Francis Upton came to Hillview Middle School recently to give a preview of the symphony's upcoming concert, "Around the World in 80 Minutes."

This concert takes the audience to Finland, Japan, Russia Argentina and back to the United States via diverse musical selections by Sibelius, Hovhaness, Tchaikovsky, Villa-Lobos and Ives.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 North Delaware, San Mateo; and at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the restored Fox Theatre in Redwood City, 2215 Broadway. Tickets are $25 for adults and $19 for students and seniors. For information, call 941-5291 or check www.peninsulasymphony.org.

As part of its educational outreach program, the symphony provides CDs and lessons plans free to the schools to use in grades 2-9.

Through the themes of the "Around the World" concert, the symphony provides educational material that ties together various subject areas, including geography, history, culture and social studies, said Teresa M. Dentino of Woodside, a symphony board member.

A 90-member community orchestra, the Peninsula Symphony is celebrating its 55th season. Many of its members, who are professionally trained musicians, are alumni of music conservatories or are music teachers who volunteer their talents.

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