On Thursday, January 10, music students of the Benjamin Upper School and Benjamin Middle School attended an open dress rehearsal of Palm Beach Symphony’s masterworks concert, Enchanting Movements, which was presented later that evening. The concert featured 18-year-old Korean violinist, SooBeen Lee, who delighted students by holding a meet-and-greet with them immediately after her rehearsal with the Symphony.

After giving a dazzling performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Palm Beach Symphony that evening at Benjamin Hall, SooBeen Lee refreshed, recharged, and headed back to school the next day, this time on Palm Beach.

Palm Beach Symphony’s Education Department had arranged for a group of 42 music students at Palm Beach Public to participate in mini coaching sessions led by the 18-year-old Young Concert Artists violin prodigy.

SooBeen treated the students to two short pieces before joining Palm Beach Symphony violinist Huifang Chen in conducting mini coaching sessions for the eager strings students. SooBeen held a masterclass, allowing several students to perform solos, then providing helpful feedback.

SooBeen talked to students about how she got started as a musician and took questions from her young audience.  It was clear she made several new fans that day and, no doubt inspired the young musicians to keep practicing, keep playing, and keep honing their music talents.

In keeping with its mission to engage, educate, and entertain the greater community of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach Symphony is expanding its music education program in the 2018-19 season. In addition to bringing professional musicians into Palm Beach County school classrooms to mentor and teach students, the Symphony offers open rehearsals to select performances so that students can experience a professional orchestra rehearsal process.

The Symphony was pleased to present The Benjamin School students with the opportunity to experience SooBeen Lee rehearsing with a world-class orchestra in the students’ own community.

Bringing SooBeen Lee to Palm Beach Public, where the Symphony sends professional musicians on a monthly basis to conduct string coaching sessions, was a wonderful way to enrich the experience for students and enhance the Symphony’s relationship with the school community. This is the second year of Palm Beach Symphony’s partnership with Palm Beach Public!

To learn more about Palm Beach Symphony’s Education Program, visit our Education and Instrument Donation pages online ... and find out how you can Be Instrumental in supporting these vital music education initiatives for students in our community.