Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents 2013 Symphony U: Orchestra? What’s All The Fuss? A Beginner’s Guide to the Orchestra—and More! on April 15, 22, and 29, 2013, from 5:30 p. m. to 7:30 p.m. at RiverCenter’s Patrons Room. Registration cost $45 per person and $40 for military and seniors (over 60) and includes all three classes. Attendees will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and one complimentary ticket to the May 4, CSO concert, Mozart & Mahler featuring pianist John O’Conor. For reservations visit www.csoga.org or call 706-256-3640.

Columbus Symphony Orchestra Conductor George Del Gobbo will answer questions like: What the heck is a “double reed?” Isn’t one enough? Should I let my child play the trumpet? Is it dangerous? How much skill does it really take to play a drum? I mean…Do the violinists really think they are superior to everyone else in the orchestra? And what’s with the conductor anyway?

Learn not only how various instruments work, but discover the opinions and attitudes of the people who play them. Put your favorite musician “on the couch” and find out what really “makes them tick.” Plus an attempted justification for the antics of the Conductor (George Del Gobbo) and a brief history of the symphony orchestra.

“This is the perfect Symphony U for people who want to learn a little more about how the instruments of the orchestra work and how they fit together to form a unified ensemble,” said CSO Conductor and Music Director, George Del Gobbo. “It's also a chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with symphony musicians and to get them to tell you what it's really like to play in an orchestra, their highs, their lows, ups and downs----all will be revealed.”