The North Carolina Symphony Launches Multi-Year Music Residency in Wilson County with March Education Concert
February 27, 2026, RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Symphony (NCS), supported by generous funding from the Anonymous Trust, is proud to announce a multi year music Residency in Wilson County, NC, beginning with an Education Concert for all Wilson County 5th graders this March.
The Wilson County Music Residency builds on more than a decade of NCS residencies across North Carolina, reflecting the Symphony’s longstanding commitment to bringing meaningful musical experiences to communities statewide.
Throughout the Residency, NCS will engage students across grade levels through a comprehensive slate of education programs. Fifth graders will experience annual full orchestra Education Concerts that use a range of musical repertoire to teach core concepts such as rhythm, melody, tempo, and dynamics. Teachers will prepare students in advance using curriculum aligned lessons and activities, and students will be invited to participate during the concert by singing with the orchestra.
Additional programming will include interactive Ensembles in the Schools performances for elementary students; PNC Grow Up Great Music Discovery events combining music and literacy for preschoolers and their families; and musician workshops in which NCS musicians coach middle and high schoolers on technique and musicianship, culminating in a side by side performance in 2028.
Beyond the classroom, the Residency will deepen community connections through partnerships with the Wilson County Senior Activity Center and Wilson Arts, participation in the Wilson Whirligig Festival, and a multicultural collaboration led by Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto, alongside ongoing support for local music educators. The community will also enjoy a series of free public concerts, including the 2026 launch event, a 2027 summer performance, and a 2028 spring concert.
NCS music residencies are designed to deepen lifelong skills and foster a sense of community through high quality live orchestral music performances and music education experiences. NCS is working with Wilson County Schools and community advisors to develop an immersive presence through June 2028 that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of children and adults across the county.
“We are thrilled to support the North Carolina Symphony’s residency in Wilson County. Music has the unique power to connect students and communities, and we believe this partnership will create lasting opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joy of live orchestral music while enriching educational experiences in the schools and across the community,” said leadership from the Anonymous Trust.
“This residency is an amazing opportunity for our students and our community. Living in a rural area, our students don’t always have access to experiences like this, and the chance to connect with the NC Symphony over multiple years is truly special. I believe this partnership will spark curiosity, build confidence, and show our students what is possible through music and the arts,” says Wilson County Public Schools music teacher Jana Winders.
The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges financial support from the State of North Carolina, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and many other generous supporters. To learn more about NCS’ music education work, visit ncsymphony.org.