Arts & Events

On Saturday, May 7, Berkeley Symphony will perform two “I’m a Performer” family concerts at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley. This year, the Symphony is inviting the public for a one-of-a-kind experience of performing side-by-side with the orchestra musicians. The concerts, a complement to Berkeley Symphony’s award-winning Music in the Schools program (MITS), will be conducted by Education Director Ming Luke, and will feature an excerpt from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as well as one of the orchestra’s favorite songs, I am a Fine Musician.  

“Music is all about forming connections with our community, and what better way to do this than to invite the public to play with us!” said Luke. “The family concert is a great opportunity to bring everyone together, to showcase the talent and artistic strength we have in the community of Berkeley.” 

In true community spirit, the performance is open to community members of all ages, instrumentalists and singers alike. And to help the community prepare for the concert, the Symphony has created a family concert page from which music scores can be downloaded. Individuals who do not play or own an instrument can join the chorus to sing the famous “Ode to Joy” in the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Online tutorials featuring students of the MITS program, orchestra musicians, and other community members will also be available later this week. Those who are interested to participate are encouraged to register online and purchase tickets in advance.  

Berkeley Symphony’s Music in the Schools program, an eighteen-year partnership with the Berkeley Unified School District, currently serves over 4,000 students in all eleven BUSD elementary schools each year, providing them a year-long, interactive introduction to symphonic music. Recognized by the League of American Orchestras as one of the top education programs in the country, MITS helps students fulfill the California Performing Arts Content Standards and provides new ways of learning. It runs from fall to spring and includes on-campus concerts, classroom visits, and springtime “I’m a Performer” concerts, in which participating classes perform with Berkeley Symphony as their very own “back-up band.” For more information about MITS, please visit, http://www.berkeleysymphony.org/mep.htm.  

Program Information  

Berkeley Symphony  

Date & Times: Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. 

Location: Malcolm X Elementary School Auditorium  

(1731 Prince Street, Berkeley) 

Performers: Ming Luke, conductor 

Berkeley Symphony 

You and your family and friends 

Program: Beethoven / excerpt from the Ninth Symphony 

I am a Fine Musician  

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students (18 & under) 

Online https://tickets.berkeleysymphony.org 

or by phone (510) 841-2800 x1 

Additional Information & Registration:http://berkeleysymphony.org/programs/family_concert.htm