Partnership brings classical music to kids

April 21, 2011

Portland Public Schools and the Portland Youth Philharmonic have teamed up to bring the sweet sounds of orchestral music to a wider audience of students and community members.

Beginning this month, PPS is broadcasting the philharmonic orchestra’s live performances for children’s audiences. It also is taping the concerts to play on the school district’s cable Channel 28 and through the PPS website.

PPS students talk about participating in the Portland Youth Philharmonic.

The school district’s Educational Media Services crew launched the partnership April 20, broadcasting a performance at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Opportunities to watch are:

Channel 28. Weekly broadcast times are 11 a.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Online. To view online, go to the PPS home page and click on the button “Now on PPS 28.” You can watch a live Web stream or go to the news gallery for video on demand.

Senior Communications Manager Brian Christopher, who oversees Educational Media Services, says the partnership works well: “With the level of art instruction diminishing in our schools, this is a way to offer music to thousands of students both online and on television. They can watch in the classroom, and along with their families and community members, at home as well."

He adds: “Channel 28 really is an extension of the classroom — as well as a resource to the community.”

The Portland Youth Philharmonic has close ties to Portland Public Schools: Thousands of PPS students have participated in it, and the orchestra practices at Jackson Middle School.

Partnership brings classical music to kids

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