The Cleveland Orchestra: Commitment to Education
Ever since the first educational concerts in 1919, The Cleveland Orchestra has expanded and solidified its education efforts into a collaborative program that continues today.
Rooted in Music Education
After an initial outreach concert at West Technical High School, and starting music lessons at local schools, The Cleveland Orchestra held education concerts at Masonic Auditorium, as early as 1921.
Lillian Baldwin Children's Concert (1945/1955) by Geoffrey LandesmanThe Cleveland Orchestra
Lillian Baldwin, Music Education Director
Left to right: Lillian Baldwin, Nicholas Salvatore, Alva Cox, Betty Brown, Randolph Ringwald, and Betty Palevsky (est. late 1940s to early 1950s).
Hired in 1929, Lillian Baldwin acted as the Cleveland Orchestra's first music education director, working until 1956.
Children's Concert Exterior (1957) by Unknown PhotographerThe Cleveland Orchestra
Audience arriving for an Education Concert, fall 1957.
Szell Children's Concert (1963) by Peter HastingsThe Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell
George Szell talking to students in 1963.
Key Concert Photograph (1971) by Peter HastingsThe Cleveland Orchestra
Education is the Key
William Hebert, piccolo player, interacting with attendees at a Key Concert in 1971. Key Concerts began in November 1970, sponsored by the Junior Women’s Committee, and acted as the first version of The Cleveland Orchestra's Family Concerts.
Maazel Children's Concert (1975-10-18) by Peter HastingsThe Cleveland Orchestra
Lorin Maazel
Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Lorin Maazel (1972-82) signs autographs following a Key Concert he conducted at Severance Hall in October 1975.
Reinberger Educational Activity (1995-11) by Roger MastroianniThe Cleveland Orchestra
Pre-School Education
In 1983, The Cleveland Orchestra began a series of 30-minute educational concerts for young people 3 to 6 years old -- Rainbow concerts (now called Music Explorers). It has since held over 720 of these concerts.
Takako Masame with her violin, interacting with the audience at a 1996 Rainbow Concert.
FWM Education Concert (2010-09-24) by Roger MastroianniThe Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst Strengthens the Legacy of Education
Franz Welser-Möst conducts a concert at John Adams High School on September 24, 2010. In 2009, Welser-Möst once again began having the Orchestra play live concerts in high schools, revitalizing the Orchestra's music education program.
Education Concert Beethoven and Prometheus (2017-09-22) by Roger MastroianniThe Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst's Efforts
Beethoven & Prometheus Education Concert in 2017, conducted by Franz Welser-Möst and narrated by Jonathan Jackson, with students from Cleveland School of the Arts in the ensemble.
Education Concert (2022-05-06) by Roger MastroianniThe Cleveland Orchestra
Performance of The Chevalier at an Education Concert in 2022, conducted by Vinay Parameswaran, with violinist Brendon Elliott.
Ellis Island Education Concert (2023-04-19) by Roger MastroianniThe Cleveland Orchestra
Continuing to Expand Education
Performance of Peter Boyer's Ellis Island: The Dream of America, conducted by Daniel Reith and directed by Donald Carrier.
The Cleveland Orchestra's efforts in music education have expanded on Adella.live, the Orchestra's digital home that offers free educational videos.
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