The Butler Symphony Orchestra next month will present a hands-on, music-packed curriculum at all 11 elementary school in the Butler School District.

Called the ABC's of Symphonies, the visits will expose students to music, and perhaps generate their interest in trying out instruments of their own.

The half-hour assemblies to take place the last week of October will go beyond traditional concert conventions.

“The ABC's of Symphonies features a connection between the English language, arts and music,” said Matthew Kraemer, orchestra music director and conductor.

“Students will practice their reading skills by exploring word families with similar sounding words: can, fan, man, pan; and instrument families: woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion; which also feature similarities,” he said.

Fifteen members of orchestra will visit students from kindergarten through third grade, going over music basics, instruments, and connecting musical concepts to English.

“While listening to diverse orchestral repertoire, students will help create word banks for the sounds they hear,” Kraemer added. “The concert finishes with a telling of the classic children's storybook, Dr. Seuss' 'Green Eggs and Ham,' set to music by composer Rob Kapilow.”

Kraemer led a similar program with Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra in the spring, which he also directs. This will be the first time the program will be in Butler schools. Teachers will be given workbooks and lesson ideas before the performances to lead the students.

The program is funded by more than $7,000 in sponsorships.

“The generosity of our business community and from individual donors will help educate and possibly inspire a new generation of musicians,” said Ed Wadding, symphony association president.

“We believe very strongly in music education. Because of the cuts so dramatically made everywhere, it's hard to get students bused over to a concert hall,” Kraemer added.

“It's just a matter of our mission, education, and exposing students to the sounds of a symphony orchestra.”

Here is the schedule of the Butler Symphony Orchestra’s ABC’s of Symphonies, which will be presented at all 11 elementary school in the Butler School District.Oct. 27Broad Street ElementaryEmily Brittain ElementaryCenter Township ElementaryOct. 28Oakland Township ElementaryMcQuistion ElementaryConnoquenessing ElementaryOct. 29Northwest ElementaryCenter Avenue Elementary SchoolMeridian ElementaryOct. 30Clearfield ElementarySummit Township Elementary