The Amherst Symphony Orchestra has always considered music education and outreach an important component of its mission as a community orchestra. When ASO musicians present a program for students (usually third graders), they share their life's experiences and passion for music making with them.
ASO members offer a variety of musical abilities and achievements. Their devotion to music is easily recognized as a "labor of love!"  Some orchestra members have careers in the field of music as performers and teachers. Additional occupations represented are: doctors; pharmacists; engineers; students; lawyers; entrepreneurs; and homemakers. Monday night rehearsals and Sunday evening concerts become times for these volunteers to make satisfying music AND lifelong friendships.
The interest in developing children’s love of listening and interest in playing has led the ASO to implement a program of school visitations throughout Western New York. For many students, this is their first formal exposure to orchestral instruments and people who play for their own enjoyment. At these programs, more than a dozen ASO musicians individually demonstrate their instruments (and cultivate student interaction) and tell their stories of how they became interested in music, who inspired and guided them in their studies, when they started lessons, etc. Students quickly respond to the joy that the ASO members bring to these demonstrations and it becomes obvious to them that having music in their lives can bring them the same pleasure and friendships.

ASO has also collaborated with student ensembles such as the Buffalo Performing Arts Academy Elementary Choir, Western New York Children’s Chorus, Bel Canto Choir, and a number of choirs and instrumental ensembles from area schools.  Some of the groups  which have performed with us are: the Hamburg High School Concert Chorale, under the direction of Norman Zogaib;  the Buffalo Performing Arts Academy Choir, Frank Scinta, director; and the Williamsville East High School Choir and Jazz Ensemble, Maureen Reily, director. Past at-school performances include presentations at St Leo’s, Akron Central High School, Windermere Elementary, Smallwood Elementary, Maple East Elementary, Christian Central Academy, Dodge Road Elementary, Futures Academy Buffalo in Buffalo,  Kadimah School, Build Academy in Buffalo, St. Joseph School in University Heights area, Heritage Heights in Sweet Home School District, Gateway-Longview, and North Forest Elementary.

CONCERT PROGRAM NOTES PROJECT:  Since October 2006, The ASO program notes have been written by a high school student in collaboration with an Amherst Symphony Orchestra member.

Student Concert Program Cover

The Student Concert Program Cover contest began in 1997 at Windermere School, Eggertsville.
At each of our mentored schools, the art teacher prepared the students to take part in this project.
The student whose design is judged to be the most appropriate for the concert program receives a $50.U.S. Savings Bond; the design is featured on the cover of the December Concert Program. (1,500 programs).

Past Winning Covers:

First student designed cover, December 1997, by Erin Crabtree, Windermere Elementary.

Later student designed cover, December 2006, by Jocelyn Leising, St. Joseph School of Buffalo.