Playing for Keeps

Playing for Keeps is a unique and comprehensive music education project, which was initiated in 2001 by the Oregon East Symphony Board of Directors.

The Goals of the project are:

To help rural young people gain access to new cultural opportunities.

To forge new alliances between the OES and local school districts.

To give young people who cannot afford musical instruction and/or instruments a chance to participate in music lessons, rehearsal and performance.

To develop a new awareness concerning the role of a community orchestra and chorus in the cultural health of Eastern Oregon.

Twelve programs make up the Playing for Keeps project:

Elementary Strings Academy - Beginning Strings classes for 4th and 5th grade students are now being provided by OES after being cut from the Pendleton School District budget in 2011.  Classes are free and take place twice weekly from 3:00-4:00 pm at Pendleton High School.  Registration is open during the first two weeks of the program.  Instruments can be borrrowed from the School District, OES or rented.

A-Sharp Players - This preparatory orchestra is open by audition to mid-level musicians of any age and gives them the opportunity to experience performing with a large ensemble. The program is directed by Bruce Walker, Assistant Conductor of the Oregon East Symphony.

Preludes - The Preludes string orchestra is open to beginning to intermediate string musicians of any age who can read music. Bruce Walker also conducts this group.

Music Lesson and Instrument Scholarships - Students are supported in the study of their chosen instrument through a fund that helps with the cost of music lessons and instrument rental or purchase. Young people, their parents, or their teachers who would like to apply for this kind of scholarship assistance should contact the Symphony office.

Instrument Loan Program - High-quality donated instruments owned by the symphony are available for loan to students at no charge. Contact the office for availability of instruments.

Musician Scholarships - Young people who perform with the Symphony or Chorale are provided with stipends and travel costs for each concert they participate in. This allows them to pursue their musical studies instead of having to hold down part-time jobs.

Mentorship Program - Highly qualified symphony musicians work individually with select student players and visit school music classes throughout the season.

Young Artist Competition - A professional review panel conducts competitive auditions for young musicians in the region. Winners of this competition are invited to perform with the Symphony as a featured soloist.
 CLICK HERE for information on our 2010 Young Artist Competition.

Family and Young People's Concerts - This bi-annuall concert features the winners of the Symphony's Young Artists Competition and offers a youth-oriented concert program. T

Tickets for Kids - During each school year, the OES distributes free regular season concert tickets to area youth throughout the school system.

School Tours - As a supplement to the public school arts curriculum, OES musicians, guest artists, and singers arrange visits to area classrooms during the school year in order to deliver master classes, instrument demonstrations, and ensemble performances.

Summer Music Camp - Each summer, young musicians from all over the Pacific Northwest participate in the annual Summer Music Camp. The five-day camp features professional instruction and tutorials in a variety of musical disciplines and ends with a Finale Concert. Click HERE for information about this year's Summer Music Camp.

Please contact the OES office for more information about any of these programs.