Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Youth and Family Programs
45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
About
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Youth and Family Programs include the Teddy Bear Series, which introduces preschool and kindergarten students to the orchestra through story, movement, and live music. Discovery Concerts are structured so children in grades 3–6 hear a live orchestra, and Words on Music takes place before each Classical concert to share behind-the-curtain perspectives from musicians, conductors, guest artists, and community hosts. The programs also include a Side-by-Side concert with a 100+ piece orchestra of students and professionals, the Michael Ben & Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest with Rising Star and Young Musician categories, and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, where a parent or guardian learns a stringed instrument alongside their student for the first several years.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 and is described as one of the leading orchestras in the nation, and it is preparing for its 2030 centennial celebration. As Indiana’s largest non-profit performing arts organization, it welcomes more than 200,000 people to its concerts and educational programs each year across some 150 concerts and mainstage educational programs over a 12‑month season. The Education and Community Engagement Department delivers a spectrum of programs serving the community and reaches more than 20,000 people per year. Since Side-by-Side began in 1991, more than 1,000 students have shared the stage with professional musicians, and the winner of the Young Musicians Contest performs a prize-winning concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra during this concert. Metropolitan Youth Orchestra was founded in 1996 by Artistic Director Betty Perry, became a program of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and now serves more than 200 students and their families each year under the direction of Krystle Ford. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra states that it inspires and unites the community through its music and sets new standards as a dynamic leader in the arts by creating innovative, engaging, and accessible musical and educational experiences.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 and is described as one of the leading orchestras in the nation, and it is preparing for its 2030 centennial celebration. As Indiana’s largest non-profit performing arts organization, it welcomes more than 200,000 people to its concerts and educational programs each year across some 150 concerts and mainstage educational programs over a 12‑month season. The Education and Community Engagement Department delivers a spectrum of programs serving the community and reaches more than 20,000 people per year. Since Side-by-Side began in 1991, more than 1,000 students have shared the stage with professional musicians, and the winner of the Young Musicians Contest performs a prize-winning concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra during this concert. Metropolitan Youth Orchestra was founded in 1996 by Artistic Director Betty Perry, became a program of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and now serves more than 200 students and their families each year under the direction of Krystle Ford. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra states that it inspires and unites the community through its music and sets new standards as a dynamic leader in the arts by creating innovative, engaging, and accessible musical and educational experiences.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
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