Adults

A central component of the RSO’s mission is to educate and enrich the community through the performance of symphonic music. Towards this end, the RSO offers a number of programs and special opportunities for children, teens, families, and adults of all ages.

This education process is especially crucial for the young people of Northern Illinois since many school music programs have suffered severe cutbacks in recent years.

By introducing students to symphonic music at an early age, the RSO is not only cultivating future audiences, it is helping to teach invaluable life skills such as teamwork, communication, self-discipline, self-esteem, creativity, and self-expression through the arts.

Our education programs annually reach more than 10,000 children of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status in a seven county region.

We encourage families to experience the RSO by participating in classes and special events in addition to the whole family to concerts. The starting time for evening performances is 7:30 p.m., easy enough to allow families with children to attend and enjoy a special evening out.

Adult education opportunties include collaborative events with other community organizations as well as classes and lectures. The RSO’s popular SoundBites lunchtime series at Kiki B’s at Edgebrook Shopping Center gives community members an opportunity to get to know Classics Series guest artists in an intimate and casual setting.

We’d like to thank our education sponsors:

Alfred and Ella Anderson Foundation
Gloyd Family Foundation
Illinois Arts Council
Jack and Colleen Holmbeck
National Endowment for the Arts
Rockford Area Arts Council