The Pacific Chamber Orchestra and the Livermore Valley School District have joined in partnership to bring the PCO educational programs and expertise directly to the elementary schools. LVUSD states the need, “One of the district’s goals is to support a comprehensive K-12 Visual and Performing Arts curriculum that is equitable, consistent, and appropriate at all schools.” PCO’s assemblies are a series of school-wide thematic and interactive programs intended to introduce students to basic musical concepts and encourage them to make music a part of their life. Teachers are given an education packet giving them the tools and resources to follow-up and amplify the concepts introduced.
The basic concepts taught change yearly. Thus for a program “On the Science of Sound” music selections act as a vehicle to introduce the acoustical concepts; explaining in depth such concepts as vibration and waves, pitch, timbre, attack, volume, intensity, overtones, tones verses noise, etc. The music chosen comes from Classical, Film, Pop, Jazz, and World Music. The PCO mixed quintet of Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin and Cello are the instruments children are most likely to undertake in their school music programs. For many children this is their first exposure to classical music.
Mission of the Pacific Chamber Orchestra and about Maestro Kohl
A resident company of Bankhead Theatre, the Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO), now in its 29th season, is a regional and professional ensemble dedicated to enriching our local communities through inspiring performances and engaging educational programs. Maestro Lawrence Kohl’s concert programs are uniquely designed to illuminate musical threads in works that reflect each other and deepen their appreciation. PCO founding Music Director Maestro Lawrence Kohl was awarded UCLA Music Department’s first University Chancellor Fellowship where Kohl did his doctoral work and held the position of Conducting Teaching Associate under Samual Krachmalnick, Leonard Bernstein’s chosen conductor of his original Broadway production of Candide. Kohl later studied with Golfredo Cordietti, Arturo Toscanini’s only conducting assistant. A consummate clarinetist, Kohl has performed with the San Francisco Symphony.
Education Vision
Our vision is to enrich the lives of children through programs that nurture a growing appreciation of classical music; to foster - as the cognitive and neurological findings show - improved efficacy and performance in all aspects of schoolwork, from math and science to team-building and social skills development; and to encourage increased enrollment in school music programs and encouraging self-expression through music.
PO Box 3134