Concert sponsored by
(Bruce Marche, Matthew Geherin, Kristen Storey, and Matthew Hettinga)
and
Series sponsored In Loving Memory of Lenore P. Lesser
Classic fairytales come to life with your RPO and Rochester City Ballet performing Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. This whimsical journey combines music, movement, and imagination for an enchanting afternoon perfect for young audiences.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a concert your whole family will remember. Join conductor Herb Smith and the RPO at Hochstein Performance Hall for a powerful afternoon of music, narration, and storytelling that brings Dr. King’s legacy of hope, courage, and unity to life.
This special program features inspiring works alongside performances by Strings For Success and the School of the Arts Choir—highlighting young voices and musicians as they share messages of light, justice, and possibility.
Arrive early at 1 PM for free, family-friendly pre-concert crafts, including a World Diversity coloring page, hand bouquet creations, and a “rainbow of your dreams” activity—perfect for curious minds and creative hands.
Make this MLK Day meaningful, memorable, and musical.
What is Strings For Success?
Strings for Success is a free, inclusive, and innovative instrumental strings program under the direction of Dr. Patty Yarmel and Ms. Hannah Garfield. Strings for Success is a partnership between The Center For Youth and the Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School #19 in the Rochester City School District and is open to all students in grades 3-6. This program is offered during the school day so that all interested students can participate. Strings for Success began in 2008 with the vision that all children should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing power of learning a musical instrument. Strings for Success started with 16 students, 2 volunteer violin teachers, and donated instruments. Over a decade later, the program has grown rapidly and now serves over 120 School 19 students annually.
Strings for Success students participate in ensembles, performances, field trips, and learning opportunities with visiting artists from Rochester and beyond. Strings for Success students have performed with professional, college and community orchestras, at festivals, and in various museums and concert halls. Students have performed at historical sites such as the Capital (for a Congressional Briefing on the Arts), the 9/11 Memorial, and the JFK Presidential Museum and Library. Strings for Success was also selected to perform in the 2024 NYSSMA conference as well as the 2o25 NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Hartford, CT.
4th graders
Devoshia Adams, Gabriella Bonilla-Wright, Ian Frisch, Ka’mara Hudson, Christa McFayden, President Preston, Miriam Teta, Briangelis Vazquez-Rodriquez, Semaj Warren
5th graders
Adrian Arch, Pranesha Magar, Loyal Petty-Goodwin, Giovanni Virella, Kameron Wright
6th graders
Moses Bineza, Jaycollinwood Dunn, Khloe Feature, Mekhai Griffin, Malon Johnson, Cah’Voy Morris, Torrian Seaton, Michael Smith, Taybian Wells
Teachers
Dr. Patty Yarmel, Founder & Co-Director; Hannah Garfield, Co-Director, John Gabriele, Douglas Rodriguez, Matthew Owens, Christopher Brewley
School of the Arts Concert Choir
The School of the Arts Concert Choir, led by Mr. Jimmy Hartmann, is the premier vocal ensemble of Rochester’s 7–12 public arts school, comprised of dedicated vocal majors committed to excellence. The choir recently earned a Gold rating at the prestigious WorldStrides New York City Festival, received an invitation to the elite Festival of Gold, and was honored with the Spirit Award. Beyond competition, the ensemble is active throughout the community, with featured soloists performing at local events, galas, and ceremonies. The choir is also a regular guest at Rochester City Hall and the Monroe County Office Building, proudly representing the talent and artistry of Rochester’s young performers.
Skylar Bashnick, Blessing Brown, Justin Brown, Jenieke Chambers, Alahna Conley, Elijah Cruz-Santiago, Destiny Dalmau-Gonzalez, Bri Franklin, Joseph Gregoire, Promysse Hagood, Barabbas Hall, Lois Halsey, Sophia Hargrave, Cori’onna Hatchett, Maia Holder, Charizma Jean, Enisa Jimenez, Amir Johnson, Evangeline Litonjua, Anaeliz Martin-Rosario, Lailani Parson, Zakiyah Phelps, Michael Rakovan, Sophia Reiss, Joshua Rosario, Nat Rosato, Aniah Smith, Kadence Smith, Etienne Tremblay, Linnivette Vega, Alexander Villegas, Abigail Weeks
Join your RPO for a magical winter wonderland featuring music celebrating all winter holidays and sparkling seasonal surprises! With festive fun and a snow adventure on stage, this heartwarming event is the perfect way to celebrate the season with live music together!
Come 1 hour before the concert starts for engaging themed activities including making your own penguin, reindeer, icicle, and ornaments!
With Halloween just around the corner, get ready for a spook-tacular time with your RPO! Join us for a fang-tastic musical adventure that will have your little ghouls and goblins dancing in their seats. Costumes are strongly encouraged—even your RPO musicians dress up!
Join us 1 hour pre-concert (1 PM) for engaging themed activities!
Get crafty before the concert with spooky fun including:
Make a Monster
Monster Crown
Paper Plate Witch
Yarn-Wrapped Mummy
“I Spy” Monster Activity
We got a hot crustacean band under the sea! Dive into an underwater world with your RPO to explore your favorites —aquatic orchestral pieces.
Join us as John de Lancie (Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation) narrates Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches alongside your RPO! Wear your coziest pajamas and settle in for a unique storytime experience you won’t forget. Also, celebrate National Library Day as the RPO uses music to tell stories including the children’s classic Goodnight Moon. Monroe County Library System representatives will be on hand to help you and your children sign up for a library card!
Online tickets are SOLD OUT! Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door before the performance.
Lions, kangaroos, and swans, oh my! Join your RPO for a musical menagerie accompanied by the Rochester City Ballet. Each movement represents different animals—listen carefully to see if you recognize each one.
Upcoming Concerts You May Also Enjoy:
Storytime In Your PJs (April 6)
Under the Sea (May 18)
Halloween is nearly here – what better way to test out this year’s costumes than a Sunday afternoon party filled with music and crafts! This year, your RPO led by Jherrard Hardeman will play music that reflects all the fun things you can pretend to be, including goblins (Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King), princesses (Rossini’s Cinderella Overture), superheroes (The Incredits from The Incredibles), pirates (Pirates of the Caribbean), cats (Leroy Anderson’s Waltzing Cat) and so much more! Even your RPO musicians dress up!
Wear your coziest pajamas and settle in for storytime with your RPO! Celebrate National Library Day as the RPO uses music to tell stories including the children’s classic Goodnight Moon!
Lions, and kangaroos, and swans, oh my! Join your RPO for a musical menagerie accompanied by the Rochester City Ballet. Each movement represents different animals—listen carefully to see if you recognize each one.