Orlando Philharmonic to host exclusive concert for local arts teachers

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will be offering a free concert next week for local visual and performing arts teachers in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Volusia County Public Schools.

"The Heart of the Arts: Celebrating ARTS Teachers" exclusive concert for arts teachers takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts' Frontyard Festival.

With March being Arts in Our Schools Month, this concert serves as a way to celebrate all that arts teachers do here in Central Florida. Thousands of schools nationwide participate in Arts in Our Schools Month each year, often with the involvement of professional orchestras, dance and theatre companies, as well as museums and civic organizations. 

"Now more than ever, it is critical that we recognize the incredible work of our visual and performing arts educators," said Scott Evans, senior director of visual and performing arts of Orange County Public Schools. "Despite some challenging hurdles thrown in their way due to COVID-19, arts teachers have relentlessly worked to bust all barriers and provide our students with engaging arts learning experiences. Together with the Orlando Philharmonic, we are able to properly say thank you by providing them an evening of joy, relaxation and appreciation. Arts educators are clearly some of the most important unsung heroes of this pandemic."

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Orange County Public Schools have partnered present live concerts and in-school music lessons to OCPS students for over two decades. That includes the annual Young People’s Concerts attended by all third- through fifth-grade students each fall.

"Central Florida Arts teachers have stepped up to thrive in spite of the challenging times in which we are living," said Dr. Mary Palmer, president of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors. "Teachers have worked tirelessly to pivot and create engaging arts lessons and experiences from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. ... The Orlando Philharmonic has created an evening of powerful music to celebrate and thank some of our heroes: arts teachers in our community. They bring honor and joy to thousands of people as we look forward to a better future."

Concert tickets will be offered exclusively to local visual and performing arts teachers through the school districts. The concert is sponsored by the Celebration Foundation. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, strict sanitation and safety measures will be in place.