2026-2027 Youth Concerts
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the BPO! This year, we invite you to join us at Kleinhans where we bring the world of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz to life through music.
From the shimmering Morning Mood of Kansas to the dark, thrilling shadows of a Night on Bald Mountain, the orchestra will be your guide through the twists and turns of a classic story arc, illustrating how composers use rhythm, melody, and dynamics to illuminate the stories we love. This exciting program takes us Over the Rainbow before taking a magical turn to explore the “untold” story of Oz with music from Wicked. Grab your ruby slippers and get ready for a concert that proves there’s no place like the symphony!
This program aligns with New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for ELA and Literacy and NYS Social Studies Standards.
Program
Grant O’Brien, conductor
BIZET Prelude & Aragonaise from Carmen Suite No. 1
GRIEG “Morning Mood” from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
SOON HEE NEWBOLD The Iliad
SMETANA The Moldau
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Ballade in A minor, Op. 33
MUSSORGSKY Night on Bald Mountain
ARLEN “Over the Rainbow”
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ Highlights from Wicked
GLINKA Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila
October 2026
WED
14
October 14 @ 11:15am – 12:15pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 5th-8th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
TUE
27
October 27 @ 11:15am – 12:15pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 5th-8th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
November 2026
THU
12
November 12 @ 11:15am – 12:15pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 1st-4th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
WED
18
November 18 @ 11:15am – 12:15pm
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 1st-4th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
February 2027
WED
10
February 10 @ 10:15am – 11:15am
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 5th-8th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
THU
25
February 25 @ 10:15am – 11:15am
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 1st-4th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
March 2027
TUE
9
March 9 @ 10:15am – 11:15am
Kleinhans Music Hall
The Art of Storytelling: A Symphonic Journey to Oz
For 1st-4th grades
$9.00
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 15 purchased.
Additional Offerings
Symphonic Folktales
For Grades 7-12
Join the BPO and conductor Grant O’Brien for a concert exploring the folk roots of the orchestra.
Friday Morning Concerts
Recommended for Grades 7-12
These full-length (2 hour) BPO concerts on Friday mornings give middle and high school students a chance to hear complete pieces of repertoire in a casual atmosphere.
Exceptional Holiday Concerts
For children and adults with disabilities
Exclusive accessible concerts for group attendance.