Quinte Symphony is committed to providing exposure to music with emphasis on the string family to elementary and high schools in the Quinte region. Our musicians share their excitement and enthusiasm for symphonic music and orchestral instruments with the students. Quinte Symphony’s goal is to support and enhance the music curriculum, and to help the students form a connection with the cultural core of the Quinte community.

Quinte Symphony has three School Outreach Programs

1. “Introduction to Strings” is a weekly classroom visit from October through May, by string players of the Quinte Symphony to demonstrate how a violin is made using a take-apart instrument. The musicians describe the instrument and name its parts and what they do. They then demonstrate different techniques and styles of playing, to the delight of students. The students think it’s awesome that before the class is over they each have the opportunity to hold and play a violin.

2. “Carnival of the Animals” is a 45 minute program of delightful music with animal themes to introduce elementary school students to the beauty of string music with its variety of moods and sounds (even a donkey’s bray). The program is designed to captivate the K-Gr 5 age group as well as entertain an audience of all ages. Each piece of music is introduced by a short poem. The instruments are described to the students noting similarities and differences in size, sound and manner of playing.

3. Band Clinic / Woodwind Clinic / Masterclasses

In addition to being the highly-respected and talented Music Director/ Conductor for the Quinte Symphony, Gordon Craig is an invaluable resource as band and woodwind clinician.

“The students who attended the band and woodwind clinics were energized and inspired by Gordon’s direction and expertise. He has a very special way of pulling out the best in students and guiding their playing in a way that pushes them to do their best.”

Susan Davies, Arts Co-ordinator

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board