EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT
CREATING PATHWAYS
Launched at the beginning of the 2025 school year, the OrchKids Pathways program is creating transformational new opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in music. Pathways is the first program at OrchKids that formalizes college application and audition support.
The inaugural class of Pathways students are Baden, an 11th grade violinist, and Jayden, a 7th grade trombonist. The two began taking weekly lessons with their BSO coaches: Jerry Xiong, First Violin, and Chris Wolf, Assistant Principal Trombone.
“ An interesting thing about this is that we see each other perform … we are in the audience for each other,” said Wolf, who recently invited Jayden to attend the BSO’ s La Vida Loca concert and meet guest soloists backstage.
For Baden, this summer brings a trip across the Atlantic, with the prestigious Blue Lake International Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he will spend five weeks
performing in Europe alongside like-minded musicians from across the country. OrchKids is helping Baden reach his goal of pursuing a career in music by providing him with an advanced instrument upon graduation, removing financial barriers incurred from college applications and auditions, providing application support, and weekly instrument lessons.
As the Pathways program grows, the long-term goal is to have 10 students in the program at a time and increase partnership opportunities, so that more students like Baden and Jayden can achieve their musical dreams. ABOVE: Jayden backstage with José Sibaja, Ender Thomas, and Chris Wolf
HAVING THE CHANCE TO MEET BADEN, IT’ S GIVEN ME THE PERSPECTIVE THAT HE’ S PROBABLY GOING TO BECOME SOMETHING THAT IS GREATER THAN ME IN THE FUTURE … I’ M HAPPY THAT I CAN BE A PART OF HIS LIFE.”
— JERRY XIONG, FIRST VIOLIN
UPCOMING EDUCATION EVENTS
The Sherman Foundation BSO Family Collection
Music Box: Dance With Me!
SAT, MAY 2, 10 AM & 11:30 AM MEYERHOFF SAT, MAY 9, 11 AM BLACKROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Music Box Concerts are made possible by the Sherman Family Foundation, with additional major support from the Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Endowed Fund.
Recommended For ages 6 months – 3 years.
Education Collection
OrchKids Spring Celebration Concert
WED, MAY 13, 6 PM MEYERHOFF
LEFT: Baden performing at the OrchKids Winter Spectacular Concert
Education Collection
BSYO 2025 – 26 Season Finale Concert
SUN, MAY 17, 6:30 PM MEYERHOFF
8 | OVERTURE | BSOmusic. org