EMSI’s CHAMBER MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS
“INSPIRATIONAL INTERACTION” OUTREACH
History
The Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis (EMSI) believes in encouraging music students by enriching their classical music experience. Through educational outreach programs, EMSI offers inspirational interaction opportunities of unlimited value to a diverse community’s youth.
EMSI’s educational program has a strong history following its mission to bring chamber music into schools. The program was formalized in the 1990s in a master class format through the efforts of Dr. Louis Chenette, former EMSI board member and retired Dean of Butler University’s Jordan College of Fine Arts. Dr. Chenette contacted area schools to arrange coaching sessions for their students with EMSI ensembles, and this program continues today. In expanding the range of the program to reach school students throughout Central Indiana, the EMSI now includes community youth orchestras, university students, and retirement homes. In the past decade alone, area schools have hosted over 40 presentations given by EMSI ensembles.
School Presentations
EMSI encourages visiting ensemble members to offer a mixture of performance, music information, and Q&A discussions led by audience inquiries. Students often sit in their orchestra room in a circle around the musicians, sometimes up front in an auditorium, or even on stage surrounding the ensemble. The group first performs, then talks about the compositions, answers questions about everything from their life on the road to the cost of their instruments, and performs again. This experience is up close and personal, not a performer/audience concert event. The visit usually closes with pictures of the ensemble and students.
EMSI board members coordinate ensemble transportation and accompany the musicians to the outreach. In watching the outreach programs, board members relate how impressed they are - not only with how effectively teachers have prepared their students for the events - but with how enthusiastic the ensemble members are in their interactions. These world-class musicians are inspired by the opportunity to excite the youth. They often do not remain seated and mingle with the students, encouraging movement to illustrate musical ideas and drawing out comments and questions from even the shyest among them.
As part of the commitment to inspirational interaction, an EMSI educational outreach liaison provides area orchestra teachers with email information and a printed flyer before each event to inform students and their families of the EMSI concerts. The distribution list includes more than 30 middle schools, high schools, and universities, and three youth orchestras in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Ticket pricing reflects a significant discount for students under the age of 24.
Their enthusiasm and appreciation are clearly expressed in thank you notes from students. Following the presentations, teachers thank EMSI for the outreach and share that in budget-strapped school systems, there is no other way for students to have such high-quality experiences. EMSI's Chamber Music in the Schools educational program is an integral part of its outreach mission, and the President includes trips to schools as part of the negotiated fee for ensemble appearances in the concert series.
Collaborative Workshops
EMSI offers extended residency workshops when funding is available. Examples include forums with Butler University, Side-By-Side student performances in collaboration with the ASTA (American String Teachers Association), MYO (Metropolitan Youth Orchestra), and local orchestra teachers. These events are designed to bring together students from many schools in one setting to further encourage camaraderie among themselves, their teachers, and the guest artists.
The ‘BETTY ON’ Awards and Legacy of Betty Perry
In remembrance of Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) of Indianapolis founder Betty Perry, we encourage young musicians to experience the joy of live chamber music performances with family and friends to help build traditions together. To carry on Betty’s legacy, EMSI established the BETTY ON Award program during the 2022/2023 season. The program awards free season tickets to two MYO high school students and two Butler University music students. Another eight free season tickets are distributed between the BETTY ON awardees for use by their family and friends.
An extraordinary arts advocate and music educator, Betty Perry used classical music to escape poverty through the support of her grandmother. Perry’s philosophy was that music provides opportunities for children to learn lifelong skills and build enduring friendships. Through music lessons, she offered Indianapolis under-served youth access to positive mentors, providing an opportunity for character-building and lifetime music skills development. Perry started the MYO program with an emphasis on the entire family working together for success, prioritizing schoolwork and grades above all.
Before her death, Perry requested that colleagues carry on her mission of bringing the joy of music to children, young adults, and their families. This video from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra documents Betty Perry’s compelling story with the MYO.
EMSI-MYO Ticket Partnership
Ensemble Music Society offers current MYO members individual tickets for $5 per concert. Each MYO member is encouraged to bring up to 3 guests per concert. Member guests, teachers, and faculty may purchase tickets at $10 each. Ticket registration at https://ensemblemusic.org/.
Chamber Music in the Schools Partnerships
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Concert co-sponsorship
Butler University School of Music
Outreach event co-sponsorship
Collaboration for program information
Partnership for student volunteers
Student ticket discount pricing
“Betty On” Chamber Music Award
American String Teachers Association
Outreach program collaboration
ASTA membership ticket discount pricing
Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
Outreach presentation sponsorship
“Betty On” Chamber Music Award
Student ticket additional discount pricing
MYO family/faculty ticket discount pricing
Central Indiana Schools
Outreach presentation sponsorship
Student ticket discount pricing
ASTA membership teacher ticket discount pricing