Forte: Amplifying the Strengths of Our Community

The Forte initiative combines the community programming the Omaha Symphony has collaborated on for 20 years, with the smaller more embedded engagements we first explored during the pandemic. Forte allows the Omaha Symphony to live its commitment to IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access). By investing in neighborhood concerts, increasing historically excluded demographics across all programming, and addressing barriers, Forte provides access to orchestral music in all corners of our community.

For a full breakdown of the Forte initiative, its mission, and strategies, click here.

Forte concerts are partner-driven programs designed to amplify the cultural assets of our community and democratize high-caliber music performance. These concerts are designed to take place in venues embedded in Omaha neighborhoods and communities and are free to attend, making the Symphony’s music viable for all to enjoy. Check out our schedule here.

Smaller embedded ensembles create an opportunity to explore and humanize classical music in corners of the community where our neighbors already gather. These highly personalized performances allow for direct communication between the musicians and the audience. These ensembles are designed to build trust and connect our neighbors with the greater Omaha Symphony through our Forte concert series and other programs.

Find a Forte ensemble at your local library branch this spring as part of our Music Evoking Stories program. See the whole listing here.

Bringing classical music to a community that wouldn’t otherwise interface with the orchestra is an integral part of Forte. One way we achieve this is by addressing financial barriers and connecting with community groups to coordinate free attendance to our mainstage programs. By inviting groups to attend together, folks can engage in a new experience within the comfort of a familiar social group.

Our musicians engage with a group of children to showcase their instrument, explain how it makes sound and use those techniques to reinforce something familiar like underscoring a book. Meet a Musician events often serve as a prelude to a Ticket Access experience or as part of a library story time.

Meet Kasumi Leonard and her flute at your local library. All story times begin at 10:30 a.m.
2/5 | Downtown
2/8 | Millard
2/15 | Florence
2/16 | Abrahams
2/17 | Swanson
4/24 | Council Bluffs

This dual-layered mentoring program gives high school musicians marketable skills in leadership and music education by training them to give lessons to students at Completely Kids aftercare sites. Young musicians can find a positive peer mentor in classical music and gain the skills they need to join their school instrumental program. Forever Music students perform for their peers in a recital at their after-school site at the end of the fall semester, then for their families onstage at the Holland Center in the spring. Mentors and mentees are invited to attend several Omaha Symphony concerts throughout the year.

January 25, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. | Omaha North High

Feel the rhythms of Baroque music like never before as the Omaha Symphony partners with violinist Jordan Willis, several area dance companies, and Culxr House's Marcey Yates in this one-night experiment. Under the creative direction of Aaron Gregory, this exploration of genres is not to be missed!

Forte Partner: Culxr House

Autism Action Partnership
Boys Town
Completely Kids
Culxr House
El Museo Latino
Nebraska Chinese Association
Omaha Housing Authority
Omaha Public Library
Omaha Public Schools
Temple Israel

Interested in partnering with us on programming? Email education@omahasymphony.org to start a conversation