I. Carroll Symphony Orchestra Young Composer Competition
One of the goals of the Carroll Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the lives of children by exposing them to great music. In this spirit the CSO sponsors an annual Young Composer Competition, in which Conductor and Music Director Terry Lowry submits a theme to every elementary, junior high and high school music, band and chorus teacher in Carroll County, as well as to most area piano teachers. Teachers are asked to encourage their students to write a short composition based on the theme, and submit the work. Since 2004, the CSO Young Composer Competition has received 56 compositions from Carroll County students, 26 of which have been performed by the CSO. The guidelines for the competition are as follows.
Eligibility
- The competition is open to all students, elementary through high school, residing in Carroll County.
- Competitors are to write a short piece for piano based on the given theme.
- There is no minimum time requirement, however the piece should be no longer than four minutes.
- Treatment of the theme may range from simple chordal accompaniment to advanced contrapuntal techniques and thematic transformation.
The winning compositions were performed by the Carroll Symphony Orchestra on October 11, at 7:30pm, at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of West Georgia. For ticket information, call the Townsend Center Box Office at 678-839-4722.
II. Carroll Symphony Orchestra Discover Music Series
Each year the CSO performs concerts for students. Students are transported by bus to the performance venue. Prior to the performances, Terry Lowry visits the schools and prepares the students for the experience by performing and discussing the music in the classroom. Teachers are also provided with teaching materials including recordings, biographical information about the composers, photos of the composers and program notes on the music to be performed.
*Since 2003, the CSO has performed for over 6,500 students.
III. CSO Teacher Resource Program
The CSO offers to each teacher in the Carrollton City, Carroll County, Oak Mountain, Haralson County and Bremen School systems, free of charge, teaching materials to facilitate their work in the classroom. These materials include recordings, scores of music, biographical information on and photos of composers, videos, DVDs, and curriculum planning consultation. Terry Lowry also offers to perform programs in the classroom at no charge.
*This program impacts over 24,000 students in 50 schools.
IV. Destination * University
The CSO, partnering with the University of West Georgia and the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts, is establishing Destination * University to inspire children through the arts and sciences to develop a love for learning, and to broaden their world and their vision of the future. This program, modeled after the only other program of its kind in Weimar, Germany, will answer big questions from the bright minds of children between the ages of 9 and 15, covering disciplines in the arts and sciences: Music, Art, Dance, Drama, Anthropology Chemistry, the possibilities are endless! There will be ten 90-minute workshops per year, each tackling a different question led by instructors who are experts in their field. There will be rewards for attendance and field trips to places that schools are rarely able to visit and a special graduation ceremony in the spring.