Programs

Music for Families

Music for Families

Program Description 

Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall 

Concerts at Flint Center 

Program Description

Music for Families is a popular concert series designed for Bay Area families, held at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco and Flint Center in Cupertino. Music for Families concerts include great symphonic music, informative talks, musical demonstrations, and free musical materials for use at home.

Our Music for Families Series weekend matinee concerts by the San Francisco Symphony are specially designed to introduce children and their parents to the wonders of a live symphony concert. Part performance, part family outing, these affordable afternoons will spark the imagination of the whole family. Music for Families was launched in 1993-94.

Music for Families concerts take place at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and at Flint Center in Cupertino. The Davies series consists of four concerts. The series in the Silicon Valley, at Flint Center, consists of three concerts.

The concerts are designed to be educational and engaging. Ticket-buyers receive a free Music for Families Activity Guide at the start of the season. In addition, a few days prior to each concert, each family receives a special Program Guide.  Along with the Program Guide may come a related music education resource, such as a book or CD. These guides and resources help families prepare for the concerts, and provide opportunities for continued music engagement at home once the concert is over.

Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall

Four weekend matinee concerts:

Saturday, Oct 4, 2008   2:00 pm

Leonard Bernstein was a great American conductor, an amazing composer, and a musical genius. No one knew better how to communicate music’s excitement, power, and joy! Join the San Francisco Symphony as we celebrate the 90th birthday of one of the 20th century’s most enduring and beloved musicians. You’ll hear music from his famous West Side Story and much more. There will be lots to hear and a lot more to learn about Lenny Bernstein and the musical gifts he left to the world! 

The Symphonic Sound

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008   2:00 pm
Edwin Outwater, conductor

Back by popular demand, Music for Families guest conductor Edwin Outwater returns to lead the San Francisco Symphony in a program designed especially for you and your family! It will be an afternoon of delightful music-making, filled with glorious symphonic sounds. This magical collaboration is sure to thrill the
ear, bring joy to the heart, and produce many smiles. Davies Symphony Hall will resound with magnificent music!

The Composer is Dead! An Unforgettable Musical Afternoon with Lemony Snicket 

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009   2:00 pm
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Lemony Snicket, narrator

A little spooky, a little sad, and a lot of musical fun — that’s what’s in store for you with The Composer is Dead! The San Francisco Symphony asked composer Nathaniel Stookey to write the music and the great storyteller Lemony Snicket to create the story. Both composer and author live in San Francisco. You’ll be able to see the smile of a walking, talking, living composer, and you’ll be able to meet the famous author of The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. This concert is absolutely not to be missed!

The Four Elements of Music: Composer, Conductor, Musician, Audience 

Saturday, May 2, 2009   2:00 pm
Benjamin Shwartz, conductor

The art of music-making is magical! It’s the result of combining four creative forces which merge to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings. These forces composer, conductor, musician, and audience — are like links in a chain. Our exciting concert examines each of these four elements and the ways they depend upon each other for success. You’ll learn and hear that your role — the audience — is the most wondrously magical of all! This concert will be the perfect way to end your Music for Families concert season!

Concerts at Flint Center

Three weekend matinee concerts: 

Sunday, Oct 5, 2008 3:00 pm

Leonard Bernstein was a great American conductor, an amazing composer, and a musical genius. No one knew better how to communicate music’s excitement, power, and joy! Join the San Francisco Symphony as we celebrate the 90th birthday of one of the 20th century’s most enduring and beloved musicians. You’ll hear music from his famous West Side Story and much more. There will be lots to hear and a lot more to learn about Lenny Bernstein and the musical gifts he left to the world!

The Composer is Dead! An Unforgettable Musical Afternoon with Lemony Snicket

Saturday, April 4, 2009   3:00 pm
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Lemony Snicket, narrator

A little spooky, a little sad, and a lot of musical fun — that’s what’s in store for you with The Composer is Dead! The San Francisco Symphony asked composer Nathaniel Stookey to write the music and the great storyteller Lemony Snicket to create the story. Both composer and author live in San Francisco. You’ll be able to see the smile of a walking, talking, living composer, and you’ll be able to meet the famous author of The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. This concert is absolutely not to be missed!

The Four Elements of Music: Composer, Conductor, Musician, Audience 

Saturday, May 9, 2009   3:00 pm
Benjamin Shwartz, conductor

The art of music-making is magical! It’s the result of combining four creative forces which merge to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings. These forces composer, conductor, musician, and audience — are like links in a chain. Our exciting concert examines each of these four elements and the ways they depend upon each other for success. You’ll learn and hear that your role — the audience — is the most wondrously magical of all! This concert will be the perfect way to end your Music for Families concert season!

Special Event

Peter and the Wolf 

Flint Center, Cupertino
Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 2:00 pm

Davies Symphony Hall
Sunday, Dec 14, 2008  1:00 pm
Sunday, Dec 14, 2008  4:00 pm

Leonard Nimoy, narrator
Benjamin Shwartz, conductor
SFS Youth Orchestra

Delight your children this holiday season with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra’s performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. This charming holiday favorite will be narrated by Leonard Nimoy —best known as Spock from the popular television show Star Trek — and will include festive music of the season, making this concert perfect for music lovers of all ages. Order Early! Last year's performances sold out!