A festive concert, entitled: "Classical is Not Only a Ringtone", will be held on Sunday, 3.6.07, at Raanana's HaMishkan, and will be directed by Elinor Aharon and conducted by Sivan Albo. The concert is for seventh grade students and will bring the unique academic program implemented last year at the city's middle schools to a conclusion.

The program, the first of its kind in Israel, was designed to introduce the younger generation to classical music, and was entitled: "Classical is Not Only a Ringtone". It exposed the teenagers to the world of classical music behind the ringtones, which are available on their cellular phones. The program was the unique initiative of the Raanana Symphonette, directed by Orit Fogel-Shafran; the Raanana Municipality and the Ministry of Education.

During the course of the year, the students were exposed to over 20 ringtones performed by the orchestra, which were presented on the municipal website and studied at the middle schools. Each student selected a composition from among the ringtones and conducted an in-depth analysis, which looked at the composers; the history, and the musical structure and style.

Last February, a ringtone contest was held for the middle school students in which a "Classical Music Ringtone Champion" was selected.

During the upcoming concert, the Raanana Symphonette will play compositions selected by the students in a live concert. Compositions will include: Tchaikovsky – an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite; Brahms' Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5; Beethoven's 5^th Symphony, etc. During the concert, there will be explanations regarding the compositions, multimedia segments and students will be asked to take an active part in identifying the compositions. Prizes will also be awarded to eight students for their excellent work.

Mayor Nahum Hofree: "Music education is an important part of the municipal education system; and from an early age, we expose Raanana's children to classical masterpieces performed by the Raanana Symphonette, in order to bring the younger generation closer to the world of classical music."