EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

SCHOOL CONCERT PROGRAMS

One of the most exciting arts partnership programs offered anywhere, the SCHOOL CONCERT EDUCATION PROGRAM is designed to be an integral part of the fine arts curriculum for elementary school students. The School Concert Program consists of:

An online multi-media presentation with teaching elements designed around the program’s music and composers, complete with music excerpts and photos.
PSO Musician Visit to the school campus to demonstrate and discuss their instrument and what it’s like to be a professional musician in the orchestra.
A concert experience field trip opportunity during the second semester.
Reinforced learning following the Musician Visit and the concert experience.

In 2026, over 17,000 people attended School Concerts from ten different school districts, as well as many private schools and homeschool groups. Of the participating schools, 48 serve Title I students in North Texas. More than 150 PSO Musician Visits have been provided to North Texas school groups this school year.

Students attend school concerts, March 2022.

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO

The INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO is a free educational outreach program for children. A selection from each family of musical instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion) are supplied to homeschool groups, private events, library programs, community events or festivals, and more at no cost. The Instrument Petting Zoo is often the first opportunity children have to handle and experience musical instruments and can lead to a lifetime of appreciation and curiosity. In 2025, the Instrument Petting Zoo was made available to more than 30,000 people across the region.

To reserve the Instrument Petting Zoo, please contact Plano Symphony Director of Education and Community Engagement, Dr. Jennifer Wheeler.

Children and families enjoy the Instrument Petting Zoo.

PSO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM provides funding for year-long, instrumental private lessons to deserving PISD middle school students. Scholarships are awarded based on director referral and financial need.

191 scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2019
27 scholarships have been awarded in the 2025/2026 Season

HEALING NOTES

The HEALING NOTES™ programs are music-therapy informed concerts in partnership with Sound Starts Music Therapy (Frisco & Grapevine, TX) which are designed to reach populations unable to attend concerts in a traditional setting. These programs are provided at no cost to the approved facilities.

HEALING NOTES™ FOR SENIORS are music-therapy informed concerts in local senior communities, including day centers and memory care facilities.

Interactive performances with PSO chamber ensembles
Residents participate through singing, movement, and playing handheld percussion instruments
39 concerts in Summer 2025
14 concerts in December 2025
6 concerts in April 2026
More than 1,600 seniors attend Healing Notes™ events each year
More than 80 senior living facilities have participated in the Healing Notes™ program

HEALING NOTES™ FOR INCARCERATED YOUTH are music-therapy informed concerts in cooperation with the Collin County Juvenile Detention Center, weekly drum circles and music-therapy informed concerts by PSO chamber groups are provided to incarcerated teens, aged 12–17.

These sessions encourage relaxation, cooperation, and leadership skills and are a much-needed outlet for the residents.

PSO chamber ensembles perform at the Collin County Juvenile Detention Center and senior care facilities.

THE COLLIN COUNTY YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION (CCYAC)

The COLLIN COUNTY YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION, its concert, and special performances (winners are invited to perform at donor events and community engagement performances), are all part of the PSO’s mission to provide exceptional music education programs for children, youth, and adults. Since its inception, the competition has showcased the most talented young performers in the Collin County area. In January 2026, 108 talented young artists competed in the competition.

In 2025, three young artists performed with the symphony at the Oceanic Adventure concert in March. These include our 2025 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:
William Xie, viola • Ashley Park, flute • Eric Wang, piano

The 2026 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS include:
Sophia Zhou, violin • Grace Li, flute • Andrew Zhang, piano

PIT PROGRAM

The PIT PROGRAM, in partnership with North Texas Performing Arts, trains student musicians to play in dynamic theatrical settings. Student musicians from Plano, McKinney, and Lewisville ISDs collaborate with theatre artists, preparing them for a multi-faceted musical career.

During the 2024/2025 season, the Pit Program presented ten total performances for approximately 2,000 attendees. The 2026 Pit Program is scheduled for 8 performances in May 2026.

PSO SUMMER PROGRAMS

The 2025 PSO SUMMER PROGRAMS served over 200 students in grades 3-12 from 18 school districts, as well as private and home-schools. The Summer Programs are comprised of the Summer Camp and the Summer Institute which house the camp and instructional models for four levels, or tiers, of orchestral learning. After a convenient online audition submission process, students are given a camp schedule over two weeks in July. At the camp, students spend their time rehearsing in a full orchestra setting as well as in chamber groups and masterclasses learning from world-class educators. They also have the opportunity to learn about related topics and career fields in music, including music therapy, instrument repair, music business, improvisation, composition and arranging, and more.

PSO MUSICAL STORYTIMES

The PSO MUSICAL STORYTIMES chamber performances combine themed-based music with books for young audiences and their families at local libraries. Two PSO Musical Storytimes were held in 2024/2025 and more are scheduled for the coming year.

PSO CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES: UP CLOSE

The PSO CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES: UP CLOSE celebrates the brilliance of women in classical music, featuring works by past and present women composers and showcasing their unique voices, vision, and their lasting impact. The 2025/2026 season features Up Close performances in March and May to champion the works of 14 female composers, The 2025/2026 season will also include the premiere of a new piece by Texas-based composer, Xi Wang, entitled, Towards Ocean, Flourish Within.

PSO FAMILY SERIES

The PSO Family Series invites audiences of all ages to experience the joy of live music through fun, interactive concerts designed to educate and inspire. Each performance blends storytelling, orchestral music, and hands-on activities to spark imagination and foster a lifelong love of the arts.

Family Series concerts were held in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Addison in the 2024/2025 season for nearly 1,000 attendees at 9 events and are scheduled for 8 more events in Plano, Frisco and Addison for the 2025/2026 season. Three additional programs were held in Addison in December of 2025 for the holiday season. Sensory-friendly programming, in cooperation with Sound Starts Music Therapy, has been incorporated into the PSO Family Series in the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons.