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Since its construction, the Bardavon has existed not only as a superb performing arts venue, but also as a cultural and educational mentor and advocate for the community's youth. On the day after its opening performance on February 1, 1869, the theatre was pressed into service to host a bazaar for the benefit of the local orphanage. By laying temporary flooring over the tops of seats in the orchestra section, the hall was transformed into an indoor fairground.

Today, out of an overall audience of 120,000, the Bardavon serves some 40,000 children and teens annually with two special schoolday performance series and a broad-based arts-in-education residency program.

Bardavon Education Programs

The Bardavon's Education Program/Daytime Performances was established nearly two decades ago. In 1985, artist residencies in local schools were introduced, with artist/student contact generally limited to one workshop session. Since then the Education Program has grown to encompass a wider age range of students (pre-school through college). Bank of America and other corporate and foundation supporters have helped the program expand substantially in terms of offering students in-depth exposure to multi-cultural and traditional artists through multi-day/week/month residencies, some culminating with student participation in the teaching artists' performances. Today, the New York State Learning Standards play a significant role in determining our programming for Young Audiences. The Bardavon Education Program workshops range from swing music for jazz band members in local high schools, to play writing with middle school students.

The concept behind the Bardavon's Daytime Performances series and the artist residency activities developed in conjunction with this program is that art is not a product. Rather, it is a process that evolves from what the artist brings to the stage to be enjoyed by youthful senses, minds and imaginations. In and of itself, the experience of attending a live performance is tremendously valuable. The artist-in-residence workshops that bring series performers directly into the classroom enable educators to take the process even further, making vital connections to curriculum, as well as to students' other academic and social needs. The Bardavon routinely reaches nearly 2,000 students with the residencies. We currently offer the following residency programs:

Big Band Tribute
IABAS Traditional Brazilian Band
Arm of the Sea
Shakespeare's Clowns
Hip Hop Theater
The Young Playwrights Festival

For School Residency detailed descriptions, click here  

Hudson Valley Philharmonic Education Programs

From 1959 - 1976, Claude Monteux, the son of renowned conductor, Pierre Monteux, conducted the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Under his direction, the HVP became a regional orchestra serving Ulster, Orange, Rockland, Columbia and Dutchess counties. The Young People's Concerts we offer today are a direct descendent of the Young People's Concert and in-school concerts and residencies introduced by Maestro Monteux.

In 1999, the Bardavon assumed the management and presentation of the region's symphony orchestra, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic . One of the orchestra's most important dimensions is its youth program, which pairs the Young People's Concert performance series with the Classroom to Concert artist-in-residence project. When we acquired HVP operations, one of our first priorities was to re-examine the education program with the consultation of The Julliard School, Lincoln Center Institute and New York Philharmonic Arts-In-Education specialists. This resulted in a dynamic new format that provides students with the opportunity to hear fine music played by a full orchestra, while relating the listening experience to academic and personal learning. We currently offer the following HVP residency programs:

• Julliard trained teaching artist
• Teachers workshops
• Student workshops
• In-school assembly
• Pick a Quintet
• Peter and the Wolf
• Big & Little

For School Residency detailed descriptions, click here  

The Hudson Valley Philharmonic/Young People's Concert is presented each spring. The concert is presented in three different venues in two counties - Orange and Dutchess. The Classroom to Concert Program is a great way to introduce students to the world of classical music. This program offers three phases;

• A teacher's workshop with a Bardavon/HVP teaching artist, guiding teachers in how to use music in all areas of curriculum.
• A teaching artist visits the classroom, meeting with up to 50 students per session.
• Finally, students will attend a concert at one of the venues.

Both students and teachers who have taken part in the Classroom to Concert Program have found a much richer experience in the concert hall.

For information and reservations contact:
Kay Churchill
Director of Education/Community Affairs
(845) 473-5288 ext. 106
fax: (845) 473-4259
email: kchurchill@bardavon.org



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