One Orchestra - Two Generations!

New this season, the Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s Seated Student Experience places young listeners inside the orchestra, allowing them to experience music not as distant observers but as active participants. Students sit among professional musicians during rehearsal segments, hearing sound from the inside out—feeling vibrations, watching physical cues, sensing the teamwork, and discovering how individual parts come together to create something larger than themselves.

The students consistently described their experience with language that is joyful, surprised, and deeply personal:

• “I didn’t know violins were that loud up close—now I want to try one.”

• “It felt like I was inside a movie soundtrack.”

• “When the trumpets came in behind me, it was like the music picked me up.”

• “I never realized musicians watch each other so much. It’s like a whole conversation happening without words.”

• “I want to bring my little brother next time. He loves loud things.”

The power of the Seated Student model lies in its accessibility:

• no prior musical knowledge required

• no performance pressure

• no financial barriers

• immediate, memorable engagement

For schools with limited arts programming, this moment of proximity can spark interest that lasts far beyond the concert itself. It lays the groundwork for deeper engagement—student-created film responses, dance collaborations, side-by-side performance opportunities—and strengthens the connection between music, imagination, and community.

Your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar when you give by December 31. Please consider supporting this initiative. 

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