The Introduction program provides presentations for 2nd – 5th grade classrooms that introduce students to classical music and the extraordinary musicians of the IRIS Orchestra.

Geared towards the younger student demographic, the Introduction program centers on:

School Visits
IRIS Orchestra musicians visit schools to connect and expose musical instruments and
playing to our youngest audience. IRIS musicians (As soloists, duos, trios, quartets and
quintets) that are featured in the Introduction program, demonstrate their instruments, help
focus students’ listening on specific sections of music, and encourage their interest in
studying an instrument.

Collaboration
IRIS musicians support school teachers ongoing instruction in a variety of core academic areas.

The Connections program complements existing music education efforts in Memphis city, county, and private schools. IRIS Orchestra musicians work collaboratively with classroom teachers, finding connections between the music curriculum and the general curriculum, working with other subject areas including art, English, history, and math. The intention is not to create programs for teachers but rather to work with teachers to understand what IRIS can bring to the students to further support the work currently being done by the schools.

The Connections program centers on:

Partnerships
IRIS partners with school teachers to create individual programs that support both the school and the curriculum.

Creativity
IRIS crosses boundaries to make connections with music and other academic subjects such as history, English, and art to create innovative projects.

Reaching out to schools multiple times per year, the Exploration program involves sending out IRIS musicians to perform for and instruct students via a prepared agenda that is interactive, educational, and explorative.

Geared towards students of all ages, the Exploration program centers on:

Long-Term Relationships
Bringing the same musicians into the classroom multiple times a year to build relationships and become familiar faces for the students.

Programmed Lesson Plans
Presenting a global concept to students so that each presentation builds from the one previous.

IRIS musicians, guest artists, and Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Michael Stern are committed to giving back to the young musicians they so closely relate to. Through masterclasses, IRIS offers invaluable time, information, and experiences for young and aspiring musicians. And for those musicians who may not intend to make music their way of life, mentoring still offers a view of life and careers outside of Memphis by professional musicians who come from all over the country. IRIS mentoring goes beyond the scope of solely teaching music. Mentoring exposes students to many of life’s inevitable lessons including team work, problem solving, dedication, hard work, practicing and methodology. Experiencing mentoring programs with IRIS musicians inspire and motivate young people in a way that will be with them for a lifetime.

Geared towards young musicians and college students, the Mentoring program centers on:

Masterclasses
Allow students to absorb pertinent technical, historical, and contextual information through interaction between the young musician and IRIS ensemble.

Relationship Building
Building actual relationships with students by offering sessions at respective schools multiple times per year.

The Discovery program is designed to bring students and adults into the concert hall for rehearsals, performances, and other activities. Students and adults are exposed to the “behind the scenes” efforts it takes to put on a successful and top quality orchestral performance by attending live rehearsals and lectures.

The Discovery program is geared towards students and adults of all ages and centers on:

Side-by-Side Rehearsals
IRIS musicians and the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra rehearse “side-by-side.” These rehearsals offer MYSO musicians the chance to sit inside a first-rate professional ensemble. The students sit directly next to their counterpart in the professional ensemble.

Family Concerts
Designed to engage the interest of children of all ages, these concerts are open to public, private, and home school groups. Family concerts seek to forge meaningful and enduring relationships with families from the Greater Memphis community in order to increase understanding and enjoyment of classical music with families and their children

Friday Live Lunch
Produced in conjunction with WKNO-FM 91.1, this live broadcast allows the listener to become a part of the musical process as IRIS Artistic Director, Michael Stern, rehearses the orchestra for the upcoming concert.

Pre-Concert Conversations
The conversations take place at 7 pm prior to each IRIS concert in the GPAC Black Box and are free to concert ticket holders. Points of discussion include the evening’s program and composers.

Wednesday Night Concert Preview
Taught by Jamey Lamar, these classes provide a relaxed and interesting way to learn about the music and composers of the upcoming IRIS performance. Each preview takes place on the Wednesday night prior to each concert in the GPAC Green Room.

Designed to engage and interest children of all ages, the new Family Saturday Series is a wonderful opportunity for fami- lies to spend time together via a fun musical event. The afternoon will consist of an interactive and engaging orches- tral presentation including Michael Stern and the IRIS Orchestra followed by a hands-on instrument petting zoo.

IRIS Orchestra featuring Martin Short, chansonnier and narrator
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: 12:00-2:00 P.M.

IRIS Orchestra featuring Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012
Time: 12:00-2:00 P.M.

IRIS Orchestra
Date: April 21, 2012
Time: 12:00-2:00 P.M.