Discovery Concerts

Discovery Concerts introduce students to the magic of live symphony through story through storytelling and interactive experiences. Held at The Bushnell Center, students enjoy beautiful music at a magnificent theater with an age-appropriate concert.

About

HSO Discovery Concerts introduce elementary and middle school students (K-8) to the world of orchestral music through original, interactive weekday performances, held at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Our program for the 2026-2027 season is:

January 14, 2027 – I Am A Survivor – 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

March 23, 2027 – Carnival of Animals – 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

May 21, 2027 – Link Up – The Orchestra Sings – This program is for East Hartford and Hartford public schools and not open to the public.

Arrival Procedures and Parking Information

Concert begins promptly at 10:30 AM. Please arrive between 9:45 – 10:10 to ensure that you can get to your seats prior to 10:30. Traffic will be extremely heavy due to the expected attendance of the audience.
Location: The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts – 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
Car arrival procedure:
- Free parking is available in the parking lot on Capital Avenue, directly across from The Bushnell. Parking passes are not required, just let the attendant know that you are here for an HSO performance at The Bushnell.
- An usher or front-of-house staff member will be located in the courtyard to direct you to the proper entrance.
- Once inside the building, a Bushnell member will assist you in getting to your seats.
Bus arrival procedure:
- Buses should park on Capitol Avenue
- Students will remain on the bus until an usher or front-of-house staff member boards the bus and directs students to the proper entrance.
- Be prepared to state the town and name of school to all front of house staff as they greet the bus and as you transition to your seats in the theater.
- If your bus is carrying an individual with accessibility needs, please instruct the bus driver to stop at the brick courtyard on Capitol Avenue and drop off the individual(s) with accessibility needs and their chaperone. Then the bus should then proceed to one of the bagged meters and park. The remaining students should then walk to the theater.

Photography

There will be a photographer onsite taking photographs of the performance and of the excitement of the audience, for Hartford Symphony Orchestra promotional use. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Learning and Social Impact staff prior to the performance.

Seating Information

Instead of physical tickets, a Bushnell Usher will guide you and your group to your reserved seating area when you enter the building.
Within your seating area, your group will be able to select seats within that area.
Accessibility seating is available and should be communicated when reserving seats

Student Transportation Assistance Fund

In order to support opportunities for students to attend, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra has limited funds to assist with paying for transportation. Priority will be given to alliance districts and schools that need financial support. More information is shared with schools once a seat order form is completed. We are very thankful for our generous donors for sponsoring this fund.

Make a gift to support this fund