Hey Parents: Give Your Young Musician a Free Night at the Symphony

Hey parents, is your kid learning how to play a musical instrument, but losing interest or struggling to stay motivated? Before they throw in the towel, ask them how they'd feel about seeing a world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert live at Heinz Hall—completely for free.

Manfred Honeck, the wonderful Music Director of our orchestra, is personally funding a free first ticket for every new student who signs up for the PSO Go program. It is a fantastic way to let young musicians hear what the pros sound like and see where their practice can take them.

 

Official Announcement: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

 

Manfred Honeck Makes a Student's First Pittsburgh Symphony Ticket Free

• Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony supports a free first ticket for every new student who joins PSO Go

• Registration is free; more than 80 concerts eligible across the 2026–27 season

PITTSBURGH, PA—Today, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announced that Music Director Manfred Honeck is supporting a free first ticket for every new student who registers for PSO Go, the orchestra's student ticket program. Beginning today, a student who signs up receives their first concert ticket at no cost, courtesy of the Music Director, after which all student tickets are $15.

The commitment is the first initiative Honeck has announced since the June 10 extension of his contract through the 2032–33 season, a renewal that will bring his tenure to 25 years and make him the longest-serving Music Director in the orchestra's 131-year history. He has led the Pittsburgh Symphony since 2008. PSO Go is already free to join and offers deeply discounted tickets throughout the season; the new benefit removes the remaining cost from a student's first visit to Heinz Hall entirely.

"When I re-signed my contract as Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony," said Manfred Honeck, "I thought carefully about a special initiative, and decided that getting students to come to programs was of utmost importance. A young person who has never heard an orchestra live cannot know yet whether this music is for them. My hope is to help them simply walk through the door. If the price of that first ticket is what stands in the way, then let it be my gift, and I will let our music do the rest."

"Manfred has never treated this orchestra as something that belongs only to the people already in the hall," said Melia Tourangeau, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. "When he extended his contract in June, he told us he wanted the years ahead to reach further into this region. This is what that looks like in practice, and it is characteristic of him that the first step is one he is taking personally. I look forward to continuing the growth of PSO Go, and the number of curious students at Heinz Hall every weekend."

 

Information on PSO Go

 

PSO Go is the Pittsburgh Symphony's student ticket program, presented by S&T Bank. Registration is free, takes under a minute, and is open to full-time students of any age. Members receive an alert one to two weeks before each eligible concert and can purchase up to two discounted tickets per concert at $15 each.