What We Do - Education

The best young musicians from the Central Louisiana area audition and rehearse over a weekend and have the opportunity to work with a regionally recognized clinician/conductor. The program culminates with a concert that is free and open to the public.

Auditions for this year are on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Pineville High School. 
Please call the Symphony Office for more information and audition excerpts, 318-442-9709.

This project is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and as administered by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana.  Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.

Our  “Side by Side” program gives the best and brightest young musicians in the region an opportunity to perform alongside our professional musicians. After a competitive audition process, these students receive small-group coaching with players from the Symphony. They are then paired with a member of the orchestra, who acts as a personal “coach” throughout the rehearsal process. This challenging, enriching, and inspiring experience gives the students a sense of the dedication and professionalism that awaits them if they choose a career in music.

Musicians selected for this program perfrom with the Symphony on our annual "Holiday Concert" each December. For string players, auditions are held at the same time as our Youth Honor Orchestra Auditions (Tuesday October 18, 2022.)   Wind players who are selected for the LMEA All-State Symphonic Band are also invited to join the Symphony for this concert. 
 

This biennial competition attracts the very best young instrumental soloists from throughout Louisiana to win the opportunity to perform on a subscription concert with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and cash prizes.

Our next RSO Concert Competition will be held in January of 2024.  . 
Click here for Rules and Application for the 2022 Concerto Competition.

The Symphony utilizes the talents of its musicians, guest artists, and volunteer docents as musical ambassadors to the area’s schools. Maestro Zona also visits area schools as often as possible to work with their performing ensembles. If you would like information on having a Symphony musician visit your school, call the Symphony office at 318-442-9709.