Natrona Schools Seek Grant to Bring Symphony Into Classrooms

The original story by Tommy Culkin for Oil City News.

Natrona County students could be seeing a lot more live music in their classrooms if a new grant request hits the right note.

The Natrona County School District is asking the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board for $15,000 to help fund two long-running partnerships with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (WSO): the Music on the Move program and the district’s children’s concert series. The funds would be distributed quarterly.

Music on the Move is all about flipping the usual script. Instead of students dressing up and heading to a formal concert hall, WSO musicians and guest artists pack up their instruments and head straight into schools across the county.

Once they’re there, they don’t just perform — they teach. Lessons focus on basics like tone, melody, harmony, and rhythm, giving kids a chance to see and hear those concepts up close, with real instruments and professional musicians.

The idea is simple: meet students where they are and make orchestral music feel accessible, not intimidating.

The district’s children’s program builds on that by bringing in interactive concerts designed specifically for young audiences. Students get to see and engage with ensembles from around Wyoming and beyond — past groups have included The Wiyos, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Sybarite 5, and others.

Those performances blend education and entertainment, giving kids a taste of everything from classical to crossover and more experimental sounds, while still tying into what they’re learning in music class.

If the grant is approved, district officials say it will help keep both programs moving forward — and keep live, high-quality music in front of Natrona County students throughout the year.