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On Saturday afternoon, March 23, musicians and faculty from the Santa Rosa Symphony Institute for Music Education will play music in various Railroad Square venues. These “Music Around Town” performances are free to the public. The Institute has partnered with a select group of historic businesses and venues to create community and expose more people to classical music and the amazing array of SRS education programs. The public is invited to stroll through the shops, restaurants and galleries as chamber ensembles of 2-14 young musicians and faculty perform 20-30 minute sets.

This unique event will be held 2-5 PM on Saturday, March 23. Maps will be available at each venue for this musical walking tour of historic Railroad Square. Some of the stops, which include Museums of Sonoma County, 6^th Street Playhouse, Cast Away Yarn Shop, Chevy’s Fresh Mex and A’Roma Roasters, may offer refreshments or special exhibits.

The Santa Rosa Symphony Institute for Music Education’s Training Young Musicians programs include five performing orchestras, many of which have concerts in March, as noted below.

Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Ensembles

Music Around Town

Saturday, March 23, 2-5 PM

Various ensembles at several Railroad Square, Santa Rosa venues

Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra

Concerto Concert

Saturday, March 9, 3 PM

Bobby Rogers, conductor

Featuring concerto winner: Grace Yarrow, violin

Special Guests: Napa Valley Youth Symphony and Santa Rosa High School String Orchestra

Weill Hall, Green Music Center

Young People’s Ch amber Orchestra

The Lives of Composers: a seriously delirious musical pageant

Sunday, March 10, 7 PM

Aaron Westman, director

Featuring concerto winner: Devon Bolt, flute

Special Guest: Jim Beloff, ukulele

Phoenix Theater, Petaluma

Tickets at srsymphony.org and (707) 546-8742 

in advance: $15 adults; $5 youth; $10 group

at the door: $20 adults; $10 youth

In addition, the following recitals are free and open to the public:

Simply Strings Recital

Friday, March 8, 6 PM

Piner High School, Santa Rosa

No tickets or reservations required

SRSYO Chamber Players Recital

Sunday, March 24 at noon

First Congregational Church of Santa Rosa

No tickets or reservations required

-High-res photos available upon request-

About the Santa Rosa Symphony

Santa Rosa Symphony, the Resident Orchestra of the Green Music Center, is the third-oldest professional orchestra in California, and the largest regional symphony north of Los Angeles. Francesco Lecce-Chong, the Symphony’s fifth music director in its 91 years, begins his tenure this season. The Santa Rosa Symphony (SRS) is committed to core values of artistic excellence, innovative programming, comprehensive music education and community service. This year the SRS infused the local economy with more than $4 million.

Currently in its 91st season, the Symphony’s performance schedule includes 21 Classical Series concerts (7 sets), 7 Discovery Dress Rehearsal concerts, a 3-concert Family Series and a 4-concert Pops Series, as well as special concerts. The Symphony is also recognized for having one of the most comprehensive music education programs in California, serving nearly 30,000 youths annually.

Collaborations with schools and organizations across Sonoma County have gained SRS national attention and support. Awards include an American Symphony Orchestra League MetLife Award for Community Engagement and a first place award for adventurous programming in the 2012-2013 season from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).