Education: Our Vision

GBS’ educational outreach exposes students in the Greater Bridgeport community to the discipline and beauty of orchestral music.

Our students are rarely exposed to Classical music in such an intimate way.  An experience like this, where they get to see different applications of Classical music, is inspiring and eye-opening.  They come away with a different perspective on a genre that’s usually considered “not their type” of music.

Colleen Filush
Music Teacher, Central High School, Bridgeport
following an in-school concert at Central 
that featured world-renowned violinist Gil Shaham

Examples of GBS Educational Programs

GBS Mentorship Program

This program has been supported through The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Community Development Block Grant, both generously supported by the City of Bridgeport, providing gifted Bridgeport-resident youth the opportunity to be mentored by GBS musicians and possibly perform with our musicians in a true side-by-side experience.

“Teamwork” Video Project

Production is currently underway for a four-part video series (sponsored by the Richard and Alma S. Hiendlmayr Education Fund) showing the year-long process it takes to produce a Classical music concert, from initial planning and budgeting right through to performance.  The videos will detail all aspects of producing a professional concert: musicians practicing in their homes, professional rehearsals with our conductor, marketing and publicity, stage plot design, box office, front-of-house activities at concerts, and much more, so that all of the various career paths in Classical music production are showcased.  Though this video is primarily intended as an educational tool for use in middle school and high schools, GBS will also offer this film as edutainment to improve quality of life for our neighbors at Bridgeport Hospital, Homes for the Brave and Connecticut Hospice.

In-School Concert and School Visitation

Since 2017, GBS has brought the full orchestra into one of the Bridgeport public high schools every season.  The experience is magical.  One can see the transformation of opinion and impact during these concerts, as students put away their cell phones and realize that unique music is being made by 50 to 70 musicians right in front of them, all acoustic, with no electronics or enhancements.  Each year many students remain after the concert to talk to the conductor and musicians, and free tickets to concerts at The Klein are provided for students and families. 

Our Conductor along with other GBS musicians, have visited most of Bridgeport’s elementary schools since 2016.  These sessions, which have had between 15 and 200 schoolchildren in attendance, are fun, interactive personal experiences, during which the students ask questions and become part of the music being made.  Free tickets are offered for students and their families.

“Right Brain-Left Brain Workout” at Bryant Elementary School, Bridgeport

This wonderful after-school program focused on percussion instruments with the aim of creating a Bryant School Xylophone Orchestra.  Instruments were purchased through GBS, which also provided GBS musicians and coordination of the program.  The program features individual musicians and ensembles, and combined literature, story-telling, music and composition. 

School Subscription Programs

GBS provides FREE tickets for any student under 19 to all of our concerts; accompanying adults get 15% off their ticket purchases.  Please call our office at (203)576-0263 for details.

Eldercare Facility Visits

Education doesn’t end with high school.  GBS regularly makes visits to local eldercare facilities to provide concert video presentations and bring GBS musicians in for live performances.  GBS also offers deep subscription discounts for eldercare groups, and provides ADA accessible seating.  For more information, please call our Executive Director at (203) 576-0263.