Symphony School Show
Do you know that feeling when music gets into your bones?
There’s nothing quite like experiencing music with a live orchestra. Even the best sound systems at school or at home can’t quite capture the thrill of being in the room as the sound unfolds around you. This is the power of live orchestral music—and an invitation for your students to experience it for themselves!
About the 2027 School Show
What is a Symphony? A musical adventure for elementary school students
What happens when strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion come together? A whole world of sound! What is a Symphony? invites elementary school students to discover the orchestra’s instrument families and explore how their distinctive voices combine to make music full of energy, colour and imagination.
From the lively rhythms of Copland’s Hoe Down to the playful plucked strings of Pizzicato Polka, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Julian Pellicano offer young listeners plenty to discover. Ravel’s Boléro puts the woodwinds in the spotlight, while John Williams’s Nimbus 2000 from Harry Potter brings a touch of movie magic. The powerful sounds of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man showcase brass and percussion.
Then, the musical journey turns to the concert’s big question: what is a symphony? Through excerpts from Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, students explore the symphony as a musical form and hear the orchestra’s many voices working together. The closing moments of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture bring the adventure to a rousing finish.
Give your students the opportunity of experiencing live orchestral music—one instrument family at a time.
Featured music by Dvorak, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, John Williams & more
Have a listen to some of the music that you’ll hear! 
Find Your Performance
Vernon
Tuesday, Feb 2, 2027
10 am & 11:30 am
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
Penticton
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2027
10 am & 11:30 am
Cleland Community Theatre
Kelowna
Thursday, Feb 4, 2027
10:30 am
Trinity Church, Kelowna
Duration
50 minutes
No intermission
Ideal for
Grades 1-6
Elementary students
Admission
$12 / seat
Tax included
* One complimentary adult chaperone seat for every 12 seats booked.
“I loved the music, especially when I closed my eyes. The drums looked like fireworks exploding when I heard them with my eyes closed.”
~ Grade 4 Student
Ready to bring your students?
Registration is first-come, first-served. Complete the registration form with your preferred venue, performance time, number of attendees and school contact information.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
December 4, 2026
Seating is reserved upon registration
PAYMENT DEADLINE
December 18, 2026
Invoices are issued within three weeks of registration
Plan Your Visit
Study Guide
Get your students ready for the concert with classroom activities and etiquette tips from our study guide.
Available Soon!
Getting There
Find directions and transportation information for our three concert venues.
Financial Support
Limited financial assistance is available through our donor-funded Heartstrings program.