Over the course of the school year, this award-winning program invites local high school students to plan and implement a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert. Once a month, students visit Heinz Hall to attend PSO rehearsals, determine program repertoire, promote the concert, sell tickets, work concert production, and produce a documentation video. Students are coached by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra staff members, and proceeds from the concert benefit the arts and music programs of the participating schools.

For more information about this program, send e-mail to the Education and Community Engagement Department or call 412-392-4870.

2011 Audience of the Future video

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that the 20th annual EQT Student Side-By-Side event will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Heinz Hall.  This event gives aspiring young musicians the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform “side-by-side” their Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra counterparts on the Heinz Hall stage. This year the EQT Side-By-Side concert will again be combined with another project for high school audiences: the Audience of the Future program. 

The EQT Side-By-Side performance will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm with a dress rehearsal on that same day under the baton of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Thomas Hong.  Additional rehearsals and coaching sessions will be held at Heinz Hall from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the following dates:

• Monday, March 12 (sectional rehearsal) – 6:00-8:00 pm
• Monday, March 19 – 6:00-8:00 pm
• Monday, March 26– 6:00-8:00 pm
• Monday, April 9 – 6:00-8:00 pm

Participants will be selected for the EQT Side-By-Side event based on responses from their completed applications, with particular emphasis placed on the recommendation section. Due to increased interest in this event, students may also be asked to audition.  If necessary, auditions will take place in February 2012.  Applications will only be accepted from students in grades 9 through 12 who are also members of their school instrumental ensembles.  Students who are chosen to participate must be available in the afternoon and evening on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 as well as for all of the rehearsals prior to the concert.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, January 20, 2012.  Please adhere to the following guidelines in completing the application:

• No applications can be considered for bass clarinet, saxophone, baritone, or piano.
• Flute applicants should state their instrument as Flute/Piccolo only if they wish to be considered for the piccolo position.
• Percussion applicants must indicate one or more of the following categories: Timpani; Mallets; Snare/Bass Drum; and/or Auxiliary.  Percussionists will be required to bring their own sticks and mallets.
• All participants will be required to bring their own instruments and mutes; the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra cannot provide instruments, except to percussionists.

Please note: repertoire for this year’s program will be announced on the PSO website in the spring.

Click here to apply!

Questions?  Contact the Education and Community Engagement Department at 412.392.4870 or education_outreach@pittsburghsymphony.org.