January 26, 2009
Maryland Symphony Orchestra Awarded Grant From Washington County Arts Council

Hagerstown, MD—The Maryland Symphony Orchestra announced today that it has received a Maryland State Arts Council Community Development Grant from the Washington County Arts Council in support of the MSO’s 2008-2009 Kinder Konzerts Series. 

The Kinder Konzerts have been a part of the MSO’s core music education programs and initiatives for the past eight seasons.  This is the second consecutive season that the WCAC has provided funding for this program. 

“With this continued grant support, we were able to add 3 more concerts to the current season,” says Vicki Willman, MSO’s director of development.  “This series has grown so much in popularity that without this recent funding the potential was there for having to turn preschoolers away from a sometimes filled-to-capacity Kepler Theater where most of the concerts are held.”

The free concerts are designed to introduce preschool children to their first experience with orchestral music and the instruments and musicians that bring music to life.  Children attend short concerts featuring small ensembles of MSO musicians, including Brass and Woodwind Quintets, a String Quartet and Percussion Trio and two larger ensembles showcasing a high school band, orchestra or choral group. 

Due to increased interest in the series by parents and public and private daycare centers and the ever growing kindergarten enrollments in Washington County, the audience has grown over 75% in the last five years.  By the end of the current season the MSO will have served nearly 2,800 children through these concerts.   

Reservations are highly recommended.  For more information on the MSO’s Kinder Konzerts go to www.marylandsymphony.org and click on Music Education.

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is also supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.  An agency of the Department of Business and Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities.