THSO Awarded Grant from Arts Midwest and NEA to Launch New “Musical Chairs” Program for Vigo County High School Students
The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) is proud to announce it has been awarded a nationally competitive grant from The Arts Midwest GIG Fund, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), to launch Musical Chairs, an immersive new experience designed to connect Vigo County high school orchestra students with professional symphonic music.
The Musical Chairs program will engage students from West Vigo, North Vigo, and South Vigo High Schools, offering a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at the artistic process of a professional orchestra. The centerpiece of the program invites all participating students to attend and observe the THSO’s rehearsal on Friday, March 27, ahead of the orchestra’s John Williams Celebration Concert on Saturday, March 28.
As part of this grant-supported initiative:
All participating students will receive
A free THSO t‑shirt
Free tickets to the March 28 John Williams Celebration Concert (plus discounted tickets available for families)
Access to the March 27 rehearsal at Tilson Auditorium
Select students, chosen by their orchestra directors, will be invited to sit side‑by‑side with THSO musicians on stage during the March 27 rehearsal — offering the unforgettable experience of performing iconic John Williams film music within a professional symphony setting.
Dr. Roger Kalia, THSO Music Director
In addition, THSO Music Director Dr. Roger Kalia will visit each participating high school this spring to work directly with the orchestra programs, coaching students on the music they are preparing for upcoming concerts and contests.
“We are deeply grateful for this support from Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts,” said Dr. Roger Kalia, THSO Music Director. “Musical Chairs not only gives young musicians direct exposure to a professional orchestra rehearsal, but it also builds inspiration, mentorship, and the sense of artistic possibility. This is exactly the kind of transformational experience that can change the trajectory of a young musician’s life.”
The THSO developed Musical Chairs to strengthen connections with local schools, expand access to the arts, and inspire the next generation of musicians and arts advocates in the Wabash Valley. The grant from Arts Midwest and the NEA provides essential support to make this program fully free of charge for all participating students.
Registration information for both observers and side‑by‑side participants is available at THSO.org/musicalchairs.
About the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1926, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) is Indiana’s oldest professional orchestra and a cornerstone of the Wabash Valley’s cultural life. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Dr. Roger Kalia, the THSO presents a vibrant annual season that includes five full‑length subscription concerts, three children’s concerts, two chamber music performances, and more than 75 free community engagement events each year throughout the region.
From symphonic masterworks and film music celebrations to intimate chamber programs and extensive school outreach, the THSO is dedicated to making live orchestral music accessible, inspiring, and artistically excellent for audiences of all ages. Through concerts, education, and partnerships with local schools and community organizations, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra proudly enriches the cultural vitality of the Wabash Valley.