The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra  recently piloted a new community education initiative, MSO 101: Demystifying the Symphony.

The free, four-session course was designed to welcome newcomers into the world of orchestral music. Open to the public, the sessions were held on Wednesday afternoons in January at the Worcester County Library, Ocean Pines, Md. branch.

Created for those curious about symphonic music but unsure where to begin, MSO 101 was designed to help participants feel confident and excited about attending live symphony performances. The course explored not only the music itself, but also the concert experience – what to expect, how to listen and how to feel comfortable walking into a concert hall for the first time.

“The goal was to show people that classical music is no different from any other type of music – it’s meant to be enjoyed,” said Dane Krich, MSO general manager. “There’s sometimes a perception that symphony concerts are only for an elite audience. At MSO, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We want people to feel welcome, curious and confident walking into a concert hall, whether it’s their first time or their 50th.”

Participants learned the fundamentals of orchestral music and concert-going. Early sessions introduced the orchestra, its instruments and the role of the conductor, along with an overview of what a symphony is and how the form developed. Participants learned how concerts are structured, how to read a program, when to clap, and what to expect in terms of etiquette and atmosphere. Later sessions focused on listening skills and musical language, helping attendees understand common musical forms and how composers use sound to tell stories. The final session also introduced major composers, and offered practical guidance on choosing a concert and planning a symphony concert experience.

When developing the curriculum, MSO turned to one of its own leaders to launch the program. “As we were shaping MSO 101, there was no one better than Dr. Rebecca Pille to teach the first course,” Krich said, “Her ability to connect with people, explain complex ideas clearly and share her genuine love of music made her the perfect choice. This was always envisioned as the first of many MSO 101s, and Rebecca set a wonderful foundation.”

To ensure that learning extended beyond the classroom, participants in MSO 101 received tickets to MSO concerts, allowing them to put their new knowledge into practice and experience a live performance firsthand. The goal was for education and curiosity to culminate in an actual MSO concert, reinforcing that the symphony is accessible, welcoming and engaging.

Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with practical ideas for refining future offerings. The pilot course was a collaboration between MSO and the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library, whose support helped make the program free and accessible to the community.

This course reflects MSO’s ongoing commitment to education, audience development and community engagement. By breaking down perceived barriers and inviting new listeners into the symphonic experience, the orchestra continues to expand how people connect with live classical music on Delmarva.