More than 6,200 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Sarasota and Manatee Counties experienced the excitement of live orchestral music this fall through Sarasota Orchestra's Young Person's Concerts (YPC). Supported in part by a $25,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation, this year's program reached 2,519 students from Manatee County, expanding access to meaningful musical and educational experiences for young people throughout the region. Presented since 1953, Young Person's Concerts combine an in-school curriculum developed by area music teachers and Sarasota Orchestra's Education Department with an opportunity to experience professional musicians performing live. Of the 6,260 students served, 3,741 were from Sarasota County and 2,519 were from Manatee County. Seven daytime performances took place October 6-9 at the North Port Performing Arts Center and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

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