Tonight, the Charlotte Symphony will present it's annual Orchestra On Campusconcert at Central Piedmont Community College. The Charlotte Symphony's educational outreach program seeks to engage students from varying disciplines in the creation of the orchestral experience. Since its inception in 1998, the On Campus education concert has evolved into a direct collaboration with various CPCC educational departments, including art, graphic design, advertising, hospitality, and music.

In line with the collaborative and educational goals of the program, this year's concert features contributions from CPCC's graphic design and visual art students and professors. Graphic design students produced titles, logos, and program books that captured the essence of this year's orchestral selections. The winning design portfolio, seen below, will be used for this year's concert and the logo will be used this year and for future On Campus concerts.

Additionally, visual art students produced original works, also inspired by the program's music, to be projected on a screen during Barber's "Second Essay for Orchestra, op. 17." Further collaboration with Ellen Ward, a CPCC art professor and leader of Charlotte's Urban Sketchers, will take place during Prokofiev's "Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet Suite 1 and 2." Ward and other artists will "live sketch" the orchestra and the images will be projected onto the screen during the concert. The use of technology engages the students in a multi-sensory way, helping to enhance the concert-going experience. "Part of the Charlotte Symphony's educational mission is the belief that music plays a vital role in lifelong learning," said Chris Stonnell, Manager of Education Programs for the Charlotte Symphony. "Orchestra on Campus is an innovative way for us to engage the college-age demographic. By using technology and by bringing our orchestra to CPCC, we hope the concert will break down some of the barriers and misconceptions about classical concerts that may prevent young people from attending one of our events uptown."

The concert will feature works by Samuel Barber, Sergei Prokofiev, and living composer Michael Daugherty. Leonardo Soto, Principal Timpanist for the Charlotte Symphony, will perform as soloist for Daugherty's "Raise the Roof." Nearly 850 music appreciation students have the opportunity to attend the performance for course credit.