Hennings-Fischer Young Artists’ Competition
In 2001, the Burbank Phil partnered with the Hennings-Fischer Foundation to launch its first annual “Young Artists Competition.” The competition drew competitors from all over the nation its first year and has continued to gain momentum every year since inception with more than 45 applicants in 2012 vying for one of eight finalist positions. Winners in the vocalist and instrumental category each year are awarded honorariums and later perform as guest artists with the orchestra.

View photos from the past competitions here. 

Musical Menagerie” Hands On Opportunity

In addition to participation at dress rehearsals, opportunities for children have taken additional forms. The “Musical Menagerie” instrument hands-on experience, prior to each concert, allows the young and young at heart the opportunity to try out instruments provided by Pedersen’s Band & Orchestra, under the guidance of the Orchestra musicians.

Picture This

A feature of the Family Concert since 2007 is “Picture This”.  A few weeks before the concert, a recording of the music to be played at the family concert is played in two local high school photography classes.   The students then translate their impressions of the music into photographic images.  The student entries are judged to determine which best represent the music, and the images are displayed at the Family Concert.   Monetary prizes are awarded to the winning students.

Music in the Classroom

Art and music interpretation exhibitions by Burbank Phil chamber musicians are performed in selected elementary school assembly programs.   The Burbank Phil has also partnered with Woodbury University to bring chamber music to the campus of Woodbury University for a performance in September 2009.

Amnesty for Instruments

This program, originating in 2010, is designed to bring donated instruments into the hands of students of our community.   Through collection efforts by the Burbank Phil, partnering with the Burbank Unified School District, Amnesty for Instruments accepts donations of previously owned musical instruments of all types (except pianos and drums due to storage restrictions).  This is a tax-deductible donation and donors receive a valuation form at the time of donation to use for tax deduction purposes.  This program is expected to be on-going in order to ensure music programs can continue in the classroom.

Dress Rehearsal Invitations

February 2003 saw the expansion of the BPO’s Youth Outreach Program as third grade students were invited to attend dress performance rehearsals to meet the musicians and ask questions of the solo artists and Maestro Kerstein. The Youth Outreach Program has been enhanced each year since and is now reaching students in grades K-12 throughout the Burbank Unified School District.