By SDCN Staff
Poway, CA–The Poway Symphony Orchestra has concluded the first season of its new Educational Outreach Program, bringing live, interactive classical music experiences directly into local schools, libraries and senior communities—at no cost to participants.
Launched in November 2025, the program is funded in part by a grant from the Poway Community Foundation.
Rooted in Poway Symphony Orchestra’s mission “to make live classical symphonic music accessible to audiences and fellow performers of communities and towns of North County Inland San Diego for their musical enjoyment and cultural and educational enrichment,” the Educational Outreach Program expands the orchestra’s impact beyond the concert hall and into classrooms, libraries and community spaces.
The program features engaging, age-appropriate presentations led by symphony musicians, offering interactive experiences that include musical storytelling, demonstrations of orchestral instruments, and opportunities for audience participation. Priority outreach efforts focus on elementary, middle and high schools in the Poway Unified School District, as well as local senior living communities.
“This program is a natural extension of our mission,” said James Reid, Ph.D., president of the Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation. “By offering these programs at no cost to schools and community partners, we’re removing barriers and ensuring more people can experience the power of live music. It allows us to meet people where they are and foster a lifelong appreciation for classical music in a meaningful, personal way.”
The Educational Outreach Program is led by Katie Grab, Poway Symphony Orchestra principal flute and a professional musician and educator based in San Diego. Under her leadership, the musicians presented a variety of programs across the community.
Los Peñasquitos Elementary School (November 2025): A full-class presentation for 5th-grade students actively studying wind and string instruments. Two PSO musicians performed a variety of pieces and spoke about the music, the composers, background of their instruments, and led a Q & A session with prizes for students who answered correctly.
Pacifica Senior Living, Poway (January 2026): An interactive concert for residents featuring three members of the Poway Symphony Orchestra. The musicians performed a curated program, shared contextual information about the composers and historical background of the music, and introduced the Poway Symphony Orchestra.
Poway Branch Library (February 26, 2026): “Symphony Storytime,” featuring live musical accompaniment by PSO musicians to a children’s reading program. The librarian led the reading while our musicians performed thoughtfully curated musical excerpts woven throughout the story.
Tierra Bonita Elementary School (March 2026): “Spotlight on Mendelssohn,” an interactive program introducing musical concepts such as motif and tonality to over 50 student musicians.
Oak Valley Middle School (April 2026): “On a Global Scale,” an interactive presentation for 6th grade band students that included a performance by a trio of PSO musicians along with a listening game and class improvisation activity.
Gateway Park Senior Living (May 2026): “Musical Menu,” an interactive program in which residents enjoyed a unique musical “menu” featuring works from a variety of genres and eras. By selecting pieces for the symphony ensemble to perform, they helped shape the program in real time, creating a fun and engaging shared experience with the musicians.
“My goal has been to bring live, high-quality music directly into the community in a way that feels personal, engaging and accessible—especially for audiences who may not regularly attend concerts,” said Grab, reflecting on the program’s first year. “I’ve also focused on creating meaningful interactions between musicians and audiences, whether through Q&A, storytelling, or simply sharing the experience of live performance up close. The response has been incredibly positive, and it’s been rewarding to see how impactful even a short performance can be.”
One particularly meaningful moment came during a performance at Gateway Park Senior Living. Residents were deeply engaged, with one attendee forming a strong emotional connection to a Native American alto flute piece. In school settings, students have responded with enthusiasm, asking thoughtful questions and actively participating in the experience. The Poway Public Library has also become a valued and enthusiastic partner in the program.
Poway Symphony Orchestra plans to expand the Educational Outreach Program to more schools within the Poway Unified School District and additional senior living communities in the area. Through these efforts, the orchestra continues to strengthen its role as a cultural and educational resource in the region, building meaningful connections through the power of live music.
For more information about Poway Symphony Orchestra’s Educational Outreach Program, email info@powaysymphonyorchestra.org. To learn about the orchestra and upcoming concerts, visit powaysymphonyorchestra.org.
