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Board hears renewal of Winston‑Salem Symphony partnership to bring orchestra concerts and after‑school music to students
Summary
Staff and Winston‑Salem Symphony representatives described an ongoing partnership that provides a Mary Starling concert series for fourth‑ and fifth‑graders, a youth orchestra pathway and donor‑funded after‑school Play Music programming; staff said the local investment is roughly $75,000 in value and the symphony fundraises to subsidize costs.
District staff and a representative of the Winston‑Salem Symphony told the board Aug. 12 about a continuing partnership that provides students orchestra exposure and after‑school music programs.
The Mary Starling concert series brings every fourth‑ and fifth‑grade class to a symphony concert at Reynolds Auditorium, and the district’s youth orchestra offers string orchestra experiences from beginner to full symphony orchestra levels. The board heard that Play Music, an after‑school program introduced last year, continues through donor funding and currently serves a limited number of schools.
Rachel Watson, a Winston‑Salem Symphony representative, said some Play Music placements were established through earlier principal relationships and that expansion depends on additional donors. Staff said the program’s overall value exceeds $75,000 and that the symphony fundraises to offset district costs.
Board Member Brown Gaither asked staff to add an evening concert option at Cook School so working parents could attend; staff said they would work on scheduling at least one evening performance. Board members also asked whether principals know how to request play placements; the symphony representative said the program was initially placed through principal relationships and that symphony staff are rebuilding relationships amid principal turnover.
Discussion versus decision: This was an informational item; no contract amendments or votes were recorded on Aug. 12. Staff said the annual partnership has been pre‑audited and included in the local budget for the year.
Ending: Staff said they plan to explore multiyear agreements and donor development to expand Play Music to additional schools.
