In the Community
Shein Trust Listen + Learn Chamber Music Series
The Shein Trust Listen + Learn Chamber Music Series invites audiences of all ages to enjoy FREE, family-friendly concerts in the welcoming setting of The Story House at the Main Library.
Each program features a different South Bend Symphony chamber ensemble—such as strings, winds, or brass—giving young music lovers a chance to get up close and personal with the instruments and the musicians who play them. Professional Symphony members share stories, demonstrate their instruments, and showcase how these unique voices come together to create a beautiful blend of sound.
Designed to spark curiosity and inspire a love of music, the Listen + Learn series offers an engaging and accessible way to experience live performance.
All are welcome—no musical experience required, just an open heart and curious ears!
2026-27 Season Listen + Learn Dates:
St. Joe County Main Library
Location: Story House, Main Library
Address: 304 S Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601
Performance Time: 4-5pm
Performance Dates & Quintets:
- Friday, September 25, 2026 – Woodwind Quintet
- Friday, October 9, 2026 – String Quintet
- Friday, January 29, 2027 – Woodwind Quintet
- Friday, February 26, 2027 – Brass Quintet
- Friday, April 16, 2027 – String Quintet
- Friday, May 21, 2027 – Brass Quintet
St. Joe County Francis Branch Library
Location: Francis Branch
Address: 52655 N Ironwood Rd, South Bend, IN 46635
Performance Date & Time: Friday, December 18, 2026 // 4-5pm – String Quintet
Mishawaka Penn-Harris Public Library
Location: Harris Branch Library
Address: 51446 Elm Road, Granger, IN 46530
Performance Date & Time: Friday, February 12, 2027 // 2:30-3:30pm – String Quintet
Location: Mishawaka Library
Address: 209 Lincolnway East, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Performance Date & Time: Thursday, April 15, 2027 // 4-5pm – Brass Quintet
Location: Bittersweet Branch Library
Address: 602 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Performance Date & Time: Thursday, May 20, 2027 // 4-5pm – Woodwind Quintet
Cass District Library
Location: Howard Branch Library
Address: 2341 Yankee Street, Niles, MI 49120
Performance Date & Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 // 1-2pm – String Quintet
New Carlisle-Olive Township Library
Location: Story House, Main Library
Address: 408 Bray St, New Carlisle, IN 46552
Performance Time: 1-2pm EST
Performance Dates & Quintets:
- Thursday, September 24, 2026 – Brass Quintet
- Friday, April 16, 2027 – Woodwind Quintet
Elkhart Public Library
Location: First Floor Atrium, Elkhart Public Library – Downtown Branch
Address: 300 S 2nd St, Elkhart, IN 46516
Performance Time: 1-2pm
Performance Dates & Quintets:
- Wednesday, January 27, 2027 – Woodwind Quintet
- Wednesday, May 19, 2027 – String Quintet
Symphony-to-Go: Bringing the Music to You
Want to experience classical music and connect with accomplished professional musicians? The South Bend Symphony Orchestra takes the music out of the concert hall and into the regional communities. The Symphony has three small ensembles that provide entertaining, engaging, and educational programs. From schools to retirement communities, libraries to civic organizations, our musicians will perform one of their customized programs just for you!
Each Symphony-to-Go performance will take place during the days before the weekend of a Symphony concert and are free of charge for non-profit organizations. Some dates may become unavailable if there are changes to the rehearsal schedule later in the season.
Please note: Performances are booked based on availability, and requests must be made 60 days before your event date.
The Symphony-to-Go Program brings the music to you! The program offers three different small ensembles that perform around the Michiana area. Symphony-to-Go ensembles can also provide workshops and masterclasses for area music programs.
Each group has several different programs depending on the audience’s age or the performance’s location. Our Symphony-to-Go ensembles are always glad to answer questions from the audience. When performing for younger audiences, the ensembles introduce each instrument and discuss the music.
• String Quintet: Two violins, viola, cello, and bass
• Wind Quintet: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and F horn
• Brass Quintet: Two trumpets, trombone, F horn, and tuba
Symphony-to-Go ensembles perform for various groups in the Michiana area, such as schools, early childhood programs, civic organizations, senior living facilities, libraries, and other non-profit organizations.
To reserve a performance or workshop, please email info@southbendsymphony.org with the following information:
1. Date and time of the performance
2. The name of the organization
3. The location where the ensemble will be performing
4. Name and contact information
5. A brief description of the audience (early childhood, adults, seniors)
Please note: All requests must be made 60 days before the requested date of the performance or workshop.
What if I want to reserve an ensemble for a date that is not listed?
The Symphony-to-Go performances traditionally occur during the days before the weekend of a Symphony concert. However, there are occasional dates that become available throughout the Season. Please contact us with your dates and details request at info@southbendsymphony.org.
Organizations hosting a Symphony-to-Go ensemble will need to provide:
- Chairs, without arms, for each member of the ensemble
- Enough light to read music
- A microphone, if the audience requires one
- The musicians will bring their own music stands.
Each Symphony-to-Go performance will take place during the days before the weekend of an SBSO concert and would like to encourage concert attendance! In order to provide our community with entertainment at no cost, we would like to continue to reach out to a larger audience. You can assist us by promoting the upcoming South Bend Symphony Orchestra concert. We would be happy to provide you with promotional materials.
For senior and adult audience members, we would like to ask for contact information so we can provide them with information about upcoming South Bend Symphony Orchestra concerts and events.
In order to provide the Symphony-to-Go program available to the community, all venues will be required to provide an accurate attendance record for the performance. This information will be used for grant writing and funding purposes.
For additional information, please contact:
Phone: 574-232-6343
Email: szakowski@southbendsymphony.org
Shein Family Young People’s Discovery Concerts
For 40 years, the South Bend Symphony has introduced thousands of area elementary school students to symphonic music in an exciting and engaging concert designed especially for them! These interactive concerts are guided from the stage and have a different educational theme each year.
This Series is sponsored by
Support provided in part by Stanley A. and Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation, Elnora Hartman Stickley Scholarship Fund, and Muessel Ellison Memorial Trust.