On Saturday, November 16 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, members of the Helena Symphony Orchestra present a program created for children ages 5 to 10 and their families. As one of the Symphony’s new educational programs this season, Symphony Kids brings the power of live instrumental music into the hearts of children with specific concerts designed to introduce them to the world of music and instruments.
“Live instrumental music is a wonder to discover,” says Barb Berg, HSO Principal Flute and one of the creators of the program. “We are thrilled to invite children to hear fun, imaginative, and interactive performances by the Helena Symphony Orchestra musicians. This introduction of classical music to children becomes a friendship that lasts a lifetime.”
Performed in a more intimate setting, children get to enjoy up-close and personal performances meant to enrich and enhance the great music education in the Helena area. The November 16 performance is the second of four Symphony Kids concerts this season. Titled HSO Goes to the Zoo, a woodwind quintet from the Helena Symphony Orchestra will perform Saint-Saëns’ popular Carnival of the Animal complete with puppets and exciting narration by Annie Garde. Well known for her dedication to education, Ms. Garde is the Children’s Program Director of Montana Public Radio, as well as the host and producer of the long time radio show Pea Green Boat & the Children’s Corner. In addition, children get to take part in an “instrument petting zoo” sponsored by Piccolo’s Music at the end of the free one hour program.
“Education through music is a critical component of the Symphony’s mission, and we are thrilled to finally bring this program to fruition,” explains Music Director Allan R. Scott. “Symphony Kids is one of our new education programs and one of the reasons for the appointment of Assistant Conductor Breanne Cepeda. The first Symphony Kids in October was a great success thanks to the work of our assistant conductor, music educators, and several musicians of the HSO.” Over 130 children and 70 family members experienced the first Symphony Kids in October (A Musical Trick or Treat), and the November 16 performance is expecting even more.
“In addition to the six subscription concerts and four non-series concerts, including the Student Assistance Foundation Youth Concert for over 2,000 fourth and fifth graders, we are equally thrilled to present these additional education programs for a younger age group,” says Executive Director Pat Callbeck Harper.
Maestro Scott explains that “We exist to bring music to the Helena region, and there is no better place to ensure our future with audiences of the future.”
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The Helena Symphony invites children from ages 5-10 and their families to imaginative and interactive performances by musicians of the Helena Symphony.
The power and wonder of music lasts a lifetime!
SYMPHONY KIDS 1: A Musical Trick Or Treat
Saturday, 26 October 2013, 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Suspenseful and spooky tunes are heard, such as Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King and John Williams’ Hedwig Theme from the Harry Potter films, as we explore fast and slow through a performance by a Brass Quintet from the HSO.
SYMPHONY KIDS Concert 2: HSO Goes to the Zoo
Saturday, 16 November 2013, 10:30 a.m. (NOTE time)
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Annie Garde, host of Montana Public Radio’s Children’s Corner, and a Woodwind Quintet from the HSO invite children to the Zoo in a performance of Carnival of the Animals that is sure to be anything but tame.
SYMPHONY KIDS Concert 3: Happy Birthday!
Saturday, 8 February 2014, 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Come hear the principal string players say “Happy Birthday” many times over in the voice of famous composers Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Dvořák, Brahms, and more!
SYMPHONY KIDS Concert 4: World Beat
Saturday, 12 April 2014, 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Music from near and far is brought right here to Helena by the HSO’s bombastic percussion section. The stage will be filled with percussion instruments and the air filled with rhythm. This is a toe tapper and hand clapper you will not want to miss.
An Instrument Petting Zoo follows the program (Sponsored by the generosity of Piccolo’s Music.)
Symphony Kids is supported in part by the generosity of Target.