Music Discovery Series: Sissi Zhang, Judith Cox and Brad Ritchie

Sissi Zhang, Judith Cox, and Brad Ritchie perform at the Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families on Friday, October 23, as part of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Music Discovery Series. It's a chamber music session, and since it's a school-day program, the performances happen in the morning—10 AM and 11:15 AM—rather than the evening. The set runs 45 minutes.

The Music Discovery Series, which used to be called Chamber Music Experiences, is built for students in grades 3 through 12. The repertoire is tailored to each group's age and level of musical experience, with a particular focus on instrumental students from late elementary through high school. Instead of the main hall, these performances take place in an intimate setting, and they're paired with Q&A sessions that give a behind-the-scenes look at the art of music-making. Schools can add a Symphony Hall Tour, recommended for middle and high school, or Instrument Exploration Stations for elementary-aged children, each adding 45 to 60 minutes to the visit.

Zhang, Cox, and Ritchie are all ASO musicians, and they're part of a larger season of chamber music. The series runs from September 2026 through May 2027, with dates on September 25, October 20 and 23, November 2, 6 and 17, December 9 and 10, January 25 and 26, February 2 and 19, March 11, April 2, 12 and 13, and May 3 and 4. Other lineups throughout the season include the ASO Horn Quartet with Ryan Little, The Hera Trio, the Georgia Brass Band, and The Atlanta Saxophone Quartet. The October 23 session is currently sold out.

Tickets are $15 per student, and adults attend for free, with add-ons available for $5. The Goizueta Stage is located within the Woodruff Arts Center at 1280 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta.