North State Symphony Brings Professional Music To Area Kids

North State Symphony, formed in 2001 when the former Chico and Redding Symphonies merged, is the only California-based professional orchestra north of Sacramento. With skilled musicians hailing from throughout the North State, there’s always an amazing concert on tap and an inspiring teacher available for anyone interested in learning to play an instrument.

Sharing the stage with young musicians

Programs for kids and students have been a staple of North State Symphony’s mission since its inception, and the orchestra offers lots of options to choose from throughout the year if you want to enjoy listening to, learning about, or playing classical music.

Every February one of the orchestra’s Masterworks series of concerts is focused on sharing the stage with young musicians, from the Symphony’s Young Artist Award winners as soloists to local youth symphony participants playing in a side-by-side performance. These concerts in Redding’s Cascade Theatre and Chico’s Laxson Auditorium attract large audiences and can be formative experiences for young people considering professional careers in classical music. This past February’s soloists, both from the Redding area, were High School Division winner, violinist James Johnston; and College Division Winner, soprano Sarah Harris.

“I’ve had many goals in my life. Performing with the North State Symphony was one of them,” says Sarah Harris. “Dreams and goals can be achieved if you work hard enough. My advice is to rest when needed, but keep going, and you’ll be just fine! You’ve got this!”

Concerts for schools and in-person programs throughout the North State

In March, North State Symphony performs a special concert for students and children in a short, school-day concert that aims to educate and entertain younger audiences. Between Chico, Red Bluff and Redding, more than 4,000 kids and their teachers get to see and hear about the instruments that make up an orchestra, with a narrator to create a fun storyline which helps listeners connect to what a professional orchestra does and sounds like.

And throughout the season, schools can schedule in-person visits with the North State Symphony’s Maestro, Scott Seaton, and a small group of musicians. They all travel to area schools to play music for classes and assemblies, teach about conducting and rehearsing, and answer questions about what it’s like to be a professional musician or pursue a career in classical music.

North State Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor, Scott Seaton, says, “Classical music is deep and endlessly fascinating. A melody isn’t just a series of notes on a page, but an explosion of ideas inspired by nothing less than the complexity of the universe itself.”

Scott says he was inspired to start playing saxophone in the fifth grade by the quirky theme of the Pink Panther cartoons. “I love all music, but nothing challenges or absorbs me more completely than classical music,” he says. “It’s something that grows within you organically, but it doesn’t hurt to have encouragement and support,”

According to the University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” study, nearly 40 percent of high school students enroll in music programs. That’s almost 7 million young people, compared to just over 1 million participating in high school football.

Involvement in music improves test scores and language learning

In addition, College Board and SAT administrators say that music program involvement has a direct impact on test scores and language learning, and that students in public school music programs scored an average of 107 points higher on their SATs. Benefits go beyond the numbers, with music participation fostering a variety of life skills like teamwork, perseverance and commitment; and exposing students to music and cultures from around the world.

Classical music continues to evolve, but it may be more relevant, accessible and important to young people today than ever before.