The Cleveland Orchestra’s 2022 family concert series supported by the Weiss Family Foundation returns to the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall in Severance, after a hiatus during the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic. A highlight of the Cleveland Orchestra’s educational offerings for young people each year, the family concert series – now in its 52nd year – is a tradition for many families in Northeast Ohio, creating lasting musical memories.

“We are delighted that family concerts are back at the Severance Music Center,” said Joan Katz Napoli, vice president of education and community engagement programs for the Cleveland Orchestra. “It’s so exciting to see families fill the hall, introduce children to the Orchestra and its music, experience unique and captivating Cleveland Orchestra concerts together and create lifelong musical memories! Children are naturally drawn to music, and we want to make sure that all children have the opportunity to access and experience the Cleveland Orchestra.

Tickets are now available for presale to former Family Concert subscribers. From Monday, December 13, all individual tickets will go on sale. Purchases can be made by visiting the Severance Music Center ticket office, clevelandorchestra.com, E-mail boxoffice@clevelandorchestra.com, or by calling 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141. The Orchestra’s popular under-18 free ticket program is available for all family concerts (see below for more information.)

2022 Family concert series supported by the Weiss Family Foundation

On Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3 p.m., the Cleveland Orchestra will present The Listener, featuring the hilarious Magic Circle Mime Co. (back by popular demand!). This concert introduces young people to the orchestra and explores the important relationship between the role of the audience as listener and the performance of musicians. In the dramatic scenario, the conductor has prepared a concert program but is interrupted by the unexpected participation of two “audience members” being played by the mimes. This fun and vibrant performance features music by Britten, Bernstein, John williams, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and more!

In Le Chevalier on Saturday May 7, 2022 at 11:00 am, the Cleveland Orchestra brings the music of composer Joseph Bologne to life. This theater-concert event, written and directed by Bill Barclay, artistic director of Concert Theater Works, tells her story. Son of a French slave and aristocrat, music teacher to Marie-Antoinette and contemporary of Mozart, the musical genius of Bologna was rarely recognized because of his race. In addition to the four actors who bring the story of the Knight to life, the Cleveland Orchestra is joined by solo violinist Brendon Elliott of the Sphinx organizationthe list of black and Latin musicians.

Each Cleveland Orchestra Family Concert features exciting pre-concert activities, including our Instrument Discovery Zone, which provides hands-on opportunities for kids to try out a variety of orchestral instruments. The Instrument Discovery program and various other free pre-concert events begin one hour before each performance by the Orchestra.

The Family Concert series is supported by the Giant Eagle Foundation.

Under 18 Free

The Cleveland Orchestra’s Under 18s Free program offers free tickets (one per paying adult entry at regular price) to youth 17 and under, for the Family concert series supported by the Weiss Family Foundation. Under 18 Free tickets are not available for seating.

Under 18s Free is a program of the Center for Future Audiences of the Cleveland Orchestra. The Center, established with a primary grant from the Maltz Family Foundation, was established to fund programs to encourage new generations of audiences for Cleveland Orchestra concerts in Northeast Ohio. Under 18s Free continues to develop young audiences by making the Orchestra’s concerts affordable for families, offering free tickets to young people 17 and under for select performances at Severance Hall. For more information on free ticketing programs for under 18s and other Center for Future Audiences programs, please visit: clevelandorchestra.com/attend/concerts-for-families/under-18s-free/.

Information on parking tickets and shows

Tickets start at $ 15 for adults, with one child under 18 free for each adult ticket purchased. Additional children’s tickets start at $ 10. From December 8 to 12, a special presale and discount will be offered to former Family Concert subscribers. All tickets go on sale December 13.

For more information on the Weiss Family Foundation-supported family concert series, call the Cleveland Orchestra box office at 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141, or visit clevelandorchestra.com/attend/concerts-for-families/.

For more information on parking for the Severance Music Center concerts, click here.