Robert Franz, Music Director is at the forefront advocating for music education in our schools.  After a brief, yet powerful presentation about the important of music education on Tuesday, March 15 during an Arts for Idaho social, Robert Franz was invited to address the Idaho's Education committee on Monday, March 21 at the Capitol Building in Boise.

In the midst of radical education reform, its Robert Franz at the forefront advocating for the importance of music in the classrooms. Since his inception as the Music Director for the Boise Philharmonic more than 20,000 students per academic year have experienced one or more of the Boise Philharmonic's impressive music programs. "The Boise Philharmonic is involved with education because music makes a unique and vital impact on how the brain develops in children. While it is a common misperception that orchestras perform concerts for children to ensure audiences for the future, the reality is that our work is much more vibrant, important and immediate. If we do our job properly students will become better learners, more engaged citizens, and generally more successful. Together with music educators, we are helping create a class of graduates from Idaho’s education institutions that will rival any in the world." – Robert Franz

A sample of the Boise Philharmonic Education programs -

Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (the best young musicians in the valley ages 13-20); Children’s Concerts (14,000 + 3rd-5th graders); Musicians in the Schools (276 – 2nd Grade classrooms); Ensembles in the Schools (high school and middle school students); Conductor in the Schools (honors orchestra, bands and choral classes – High School); Verde Percussion Group performances (middle & high school); Mock Auditions (University level students); Jeker Eagle Music Project (grades K-12); Backstage with the Artist (teen – adult); Musically Speaking (teen – adult) all of which are funded through grants and sponsorships from our community.

"The combination of active listening and playing an instrument or singing is key to fully developing the mind of a successful child. Giving students the tools that they need to succeed is our responsibility. The Boise Philharmonic works in tandem with superintendents, educators and local universities to make sure that we aid in this process. Classical music has a place at the table to educate students in the here and now. Together we can create strong learning practices for the young people of the state of Idaho. Working together with music teachers to increase active listening skills will benefit our children in every facet of their developmental journey." -- Robert Franz

In January 2010, 14,300 students from around the treasure valley attended the annual Children’s Concerts (Morrison Center, Swayne Auditorium or the Meridian Middle School auditorium), perhaps for the first time to hear the full Boise Philharmonic orchestra. Not only was this experience a concert, but a learning experience which incorporated Gustav Holst's the Planets (a massive masterworks) into the existing science curriculum. Prior to attending the concerts, students learned about the planets in our solar system and created pieces of art to be shown during the concert. Barbara Morgan, astronaut and teacher, was on stage with the Philharmonic and narrated descriptions of the planets and her own galactic experience. The responses of the students were excitement, enthusiasm, appreciation and a better understanding of both the planets and music.

Robert Franz, Music Director has proven to be a leader in community collaborations, arts & culture and fundamentally, the importance of music education.