Cultural Diversity
Below you will find a description of each performing arts group and the necessary information to coordinate an educational, cultural, and entertaining experience for your students. All musical content will be appropriately presented according to grade level. Performances are approximately 30 minutes, with 10-15 minutes for a Q & A session at the end of the performance.
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Listen, Listen One Day You Will Know
By Author Illustrator Joe Culley Available: January 2026 through May 2026 *Concerts only offered to schools requesting two concerts on the same day. Curriculum Connection: Language; Social Studies; Geography; Cultural Traditions; History; Historic Instruments (An exploration of the mystery of sound through a young boy from India named Yaatra) The presentation will be a musical voyage of the book Grade Level: K-6 / *Concerts only offered to schools requesting two concerts on the same day. Selected students will be on stage to create sound effects for specific aspects of the book as Joe will read. The book will be projected onto a screen for all to see! As Joe reads from the book he will be playing the ancient drums of India called tabla. (Pronounced Tuh-blah) Basic aspects of the beautifully unique rhythmic system of India’s classical music will be taught through audience participation and tabla demonstrations. The book was created as an interactive coloring book. Joe did this intentionally to show the connection between visual art and music. Some of the pages will be copied for teachers to make duplicates for their students to color after the performance! Equipment needed: A presenter in which Joe’s laptop (Mac Book Air) can be connected to and screen for all to see the projection. If the school cannot provide this Joe can make arrangements; Outlets for power will be needed close to stage; Extension cords and a power strip would be great, but not necessary.A no smaller than 8’x 4’ stage and high enough for the audience to see Joe playing, because the instrument is played sitting cross legged on the floor. If this cannot be provided, he can make arrangements; Copies of coloring pages for students given after the performance. Between 5-7 (teacher selected students in total) to accompany Joe on stage that will create sound effects during the performance. Joe will need to briefly meet with these students prior to the performance after initial set up and sound check. Joe will need about 15-20min to instruct the students how and when to make the sound effects Grade Level: K-6 Concerts Available: 4 |
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ORMACO - Larry and Joe
Available: March 17, 19, or 20, 2026 / Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday *Concerts only offered to schools requesting two concerts on the same day. Curriculum Connection: Language: Spanish; Social Studies: Geography; Cultural Traditions; History; Historic Instruments Legendary Llanero musician, teacher, and Venezuelan migrant Larry Bellorín & globe-trotting old time teacher and GRAMMY-nominated Joe Troop play a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian music featuring instruments from both musicians’ respective folk inheritances: banjo, harp, fiddle, cuatro, guitar, upright bass, maracas, and voice – both original and reimagined music. Larry & Joe deliver an engaging bilingual program that features not only their respective musical traditions, Joropo and Bluegrass, but also storytelling, singalongs, and dancing. With a focus on student engagement and participation, optional supplemental materials include bilingual lyric sheets, geographical maps, and vocabulary lists. Students are encouraged to ask questions related to music and culture. Students may feel moved to dance, and we sure hope they do. We hope they leave feeling connected, inspired, curious, and welcome. For more information, please visit: Larry and Joe Equipment needed: One folding chair, a microphone for speaking, and a white board with markers (for writing Spanish words). Grade Level: K-6 Concerts Available: 4 |
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Canal Stories with Hey MavisSeptember 2025 - May 2026 (Monday- Friday)
NOT AVAILABLE: October 29 thru November 4, 2025, and March 12-20, 2026 These concerts can only be offered to schools requesting two concerts on the same day. Curriculum Connection: Social Studies (History & Geography Strands). Ohio’s vibrant history is tied directly to the Ohio & Erie Canal. One of its major hubs—Akron—was full of the culture, characters, music and life of the canal. Hey Mavis explores this rich heritage, interweaving music, storytelling, art, and history in an engaging performance that features songs and artwork from their book/CD ”Silver Ribbon Dream–Songs & Stories of the Ohio & Erie Canal”, which won a Knight Arts Challenge Akron award in 2016. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy exploring this silver ribbon of history that wove its way through the heart of Ohio. Visit their website at heymavis.com. Equipment needed: Electricity, general lighting and microphone. Grade Level: Fits best with grades 3, 4, 5, however would be fine for K-12. Concerts Available: 8 |
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Steve FreeApril 28th, 29th, and 30th, 2026 (Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday)
These concerts can only be offered to schools requesting two concerts on the same day. Curriculum Connection: Social Studies; Language Arts Award-winning singer/songwriter/recording artist Steve Free draws upon his Native American and Appalachian roots to explore the rich heritage of southern Ohio and the Appalachian and Native American cultures that have shaped it. Using music and storytelling, he is a master of combining thought-provoking lyrics with fun-filled audience participation. In addition, he delves into the interconnectedness of man, nature, and spirit, encouraging young people to explore their roots. This program relates to History, Geography, Communication as well as Environmental Awareness. Steve is the 2008 Governor’s Individual Artist Award winner for the Arts in Ohio. Visit his website at www.stevefree.com. Equipment Needed: Chairs, extension cords and a microphone. Grade Level: K-12 Concerts Available: 8 |
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Alla BoaraAvailable: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday Mornings
The Stories and Songs of Italy: A Journey Through Italian Folk Music Blending first class musicianship with years of teaching experience, Alla Boara showcases the incredible diversity of Italy's folk music and history to students of all ages. The students will be given the chance to have a hands-on experience, learn some Italian, and sing along with Alla Boara. They will talk about what this music makes them feel, how the Italians used these songs during their everyday life and get the chance to listen to the band’s arrangements and compositions. Throughout the workshop the students will be listening to field recordings (that were done by famous American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax), learning about traditional instruments, and see how these different forms of musical expression created this amazing diversity within Italy’s folk music. This program seeks to not only shine a light on the beauty of Italian folk music, but also demonstrates how students can look into their own musical heritage for creative inspiration! More info can be found at AllaBoara.com - Teachers guides and interactive curriculum is available if you would like to prep the students beforehand. Alla Boara has experience doing these workshops for K-12 and has reached over 5,000 students to date! Grade Level: K-12 Equipment needed: Electricity and General Lighting Curriculum Connection: Social Studies (History & Geography), Language CONCERT AVAILABLE: 4 |
Offering Free In-School Performances in a Variety of Disciplines
Quality, free and informal live concerts are offered to all public, private, parochial, charter and home schools in Summit County and surrounding areas. The purpose is to introduce and foster music appreciation, encourage young musicians, and create a connection between cultures and races where music becomes vividly experienced as a universal language. Children's Concert Society enlists outstanding performers and strives to bring the very best of instrumental, vocal, and dance programs to our student communities. These in school performances enable the children to experience the music in a less structured environment--to ask questions, to learn the history of the instruments, and even to touch the instruments! CCS has a close relationship with the School of Music at the University of Akron for these In-School concerts. Along with several professional musicians, many graduate student ensembles perform. Not only are the children inspired by the graduate students, but the graduate students themselves benefit from the exposure to young audiences. This experience demonstrates to them the importance of enriching the children's musical education and may influence them throughout their careers as teachers and/or performing artists.
Instrumental Help students explore how music is made by a broad range of instruments. |
Cultural Diversity Create a connection between cultures and music for students. |
Vocal Explore using your voice as a musical instrument. |
Dance Students can learn how dance helps you see the music. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a cost for the performances?
No, our In School Concerts are FREE! Thanks to the generosity of foundations and donor's support, Children’s Concert Society is able to provide quality, free and informal live concerts to all public, private, parochial, charter and home schools in Summit County and surrounding areas. How long are performances?
All concerts will be appropriately presented according to grade levels. Performances are approximately 30 minutes, with 10-15 minutes for a Q and A session. Can you customize a program?
Some of the groups have customized their programs for each different school level. All musical content will be appropriately presented according to grade levels. How many groups can I bring to my school?
One group per school will be scheduled, but depending on the size of your school, two concerts for that group may be scheduled. Please note, due to setup time, some groups will only perform for a maximum of 200 students and will require two concerts. Do you guarantee the artist I picked?
We will schedule concerts on a first-come, first-served basis. Please number your top five choices in order of preference. |
