The OKCPHIL offers a variety of educational opportunities for students of all ages including in-class programs and opportunities to experience the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in concert. For questions or comments, please reach out to the Education Coordinator at education@okcphil.org or 405-232-7575.
Make sure to sign up for the Educator’s Club to get the most up-to-date information about opportunities for your students straight to your inbox!
We’ve Got Rhythm
3rd Grade
This award-winning program serves as an introduction to the orchestra for our youngest musicians. Participating students from around the Oklahoma City metro will enjoy interactive experiences with OKCPHIL musicians and Orchestra League volunteers, a concert experience from the OKCPHIL, and the opportunity to learn more about the different instruments of the orchestra. Each participating teacher receives access to digital resources and professional development that align with Oklahoma Academic Standards for Music Education to prepare their students for each component and assess their understanding.
This program has a limited capacity and accepts registrations on a first-come, first-serve basis within the registration window. Additional schools will be added to a waitlist for the current school year. To ensure updates regarding program registration, be sure to enroll in the Educator’s Club!
Link Up!
3rd — 5th Grades
Through a partnership with Carnegie Hall, students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to play and sing along with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic during a free day-time concert! Throughout the year, teachers work with students to learn a selection of music on recorder, violin, or voice. Each participating teacher receives access to digital resources and professional development that align with Oklahoma Academic Standards for Music Education to prepare their students for each component and assess their understanding. To ensure updates regarding program registration, be sure to enroll in the Educator’s Club!
Sound Images
3rd Grade — 8th Grade
Sound Images guides students to the path of creative expression through creation of art as inspired by orchestral music. A partnership between the Oklahoma City Philharmonic & The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Sound Images provides a series of digital lessons that emphasize and simplify the way that common elements of art and music can be used to create variety and excitement! Sound Images welcomes participation from Oklahoma City and surrounding area public/private schools, home schools, after-school programs, and community children’s programs. All lessons align with Oklahoma State Standards for Music Education & Art Education. To ensure updates regarding program registration, be sure to enroll in the Educator’s Club!
Note: The Oklahoma City Museum of Art provides free admission plus travel and substitute teacher reimbursement for all Oklahoma K-12 students and their chaperones (up to 2 per 15 students) who book a tour. This is a great opportunity to experience art and see the winners of the Sound Images competition if timed correctly. Learn more about student tours on the Oklahoma City Museum of Art website.
Youth Concerts
3rd — 5th Grades
This Oklahoma City Philharmonic concert is designed just for students to attend at the Civic Center Music Hall. These 45-minute, school-day concerts highlight the sights and sounds of the symphony orchestra under the direction of guest conductor, Matthew Troy. In addition to admittance to the concert, teachers who register will receive digital access to a digital teacher guide, music selections, and professional development. To ensure updates regarding program registration, be sure to enroll in the Educator’s Club!
Master Classes: Backstage
This season’s series of digital Master Classes will showcase lessons on musicianship beyond any one instrument, and will be available for students and classes that register. Talented music majors at the university level are paired with guest artists of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in a lesson before an audience. For the most current information, be sure to register for the Educator’s Club!
Master Classes are free of charge.
Student Rush
Discount tickets for students are available for each Classics and Pops concert through our student rush program. See complete details on our tickets page.
Open Rehearsal (on pause)
9th Grade — Graduate
Select rehearsals are open to high school and college musicians as a learning experience. Because this is valuable working time for the conductor and the orchestra, there are restrictions and policies that must be followed by all students. To inquire about open rehearsals and make a reservation, please contact the Education Coordinator at 405-232-7575.
Society of Strings
Society of Strings is an adult string orchestra program composed of Be the Orchestra, our strings education program that takes adult students from novice to performance over the course of two 8-week cohorts; and two performance ensembles: Encore – intermediate ensemble, and Sinfonia – advanced ensemble. All ensembles meet once a week on Monday evenings throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, and are led by OKCPHIL musicians and educators. All members of the OKC metro community ages 18 and up are welcome! For more information about Society of Strings, please fill out this inquiry form.
