About
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Youth and Family Programs includes the Teddy Bear Series, Discovery Concerts, Words on Music, Side-by-Side, the Michael Ben & Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO), History in Harmony, Play Me a Story, Instrument Petting Zoo, Musician Visits, ISO Staff Member Career Presentation, and Hilbert Circle Theatre Tour. Activities include story, movement, and live music; hearing a live orchestra; behind-the-curtain talks before Classical concerts; student performances with ISO musicians; chamber music with historical narrative; trying violin, plastic trumpet, plastic trombone, flute, kid-friendly wind instruments, and percussion instruments; coaching and Q&A; and an inside look into the history of Hilbert Circle Theatre.
Programs
- Teddy Bear Series — preschool and kindergarten students · Introduces children to the orchestra through story, movement, and live music.
- Discovery Concerts — grades 3–6 · Designed so children in grades 3–6 have the chance to hear a live orchestra.
- Words on Music — Before each Classical concert, provides behind-the-curtain perspective from musicians, conductors, guest artists, and community hosts.
- Side-by-Side — Students auditioned and coached by ISO members perform with professional counterparts in the Hilbert Circle Theatre.
- Michael Ben & Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest — through grade 12 · Encourages accomplished young Indiana musicians by providing an opportunity to perform in a competitive setting.
- Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) — students K-12 · Serves students and their families, developing musical and life skills.
- History in Harmony — A program blending chamber music with historical narrative around a specific theme, time period, or cultural moment.
- Play Me a Story — elementary audiences · Integrates live music to highlight characters, moods, and key moments in a story.
- Instrument Petting Zoo — Offers violin, plastic trumpet, plastic trombone, flute, kid-friendly wind instruments, and percussion instruments to try touching and playing.
- Musician Visits — Includes coaching/sectionals and performances plus Q&A with ISO musicians.
- ISO Staff Member Career Presentation — An ISO staff member visits a classroom to talk about the symphony and arts administration.
- Hilbert Circle Theatre Tour — An inside look into the history of Hilbert Circle Theatre.
At a glance
- Ages: 3–18 years old
- Current session: Classical Jam (Oct 27–Oct 27, 2026)
- General schedule: MYO: attend a lesson and an orchestra rehearsal every week; family interview in April and May; new applicants notified in May.
About the provider
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930. The Education and Community Engagement Department delivers a spectrum of programs serving the community, reaching 20,000+ people per year. The orchestra welcomes more than 200,000 people to its concerts and educational programs each year. MYO was founded in 1996 and became a program of the ISO in 2008.
- Classical Jam registration deadline — Registration Deadline
What families say
“Last night I fulfilled a lifelong dream - to play with the ISO on the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage… It was an inspiring night of creating beautiful music and it was special sharing it with so many music teacher & music friends from the Indy area.” — 2018 Participant
Last updated September 3, 2026.
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