January 7, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Kinderkonzerts, the popular ensemble-based concert series which provides an interactive first Oregon Symphony experience for children in kindergarten through second grade, continues its cycle of four concerts with a zoological tour of the woodwind section on Jan. 24, 25 and 26 at three Portland-Metro area elementary schools. The 30-minute concerts, half of which have already sold out at Peninsula Elementary, Lent Elementary and Witch Hazel Elementary, feature Symphony musicians Karen Wagner, Martha Herby, Leon Chodos, Todd Kuhns and Mary Grant, who will introduce students to the different instruments in the woodwind family.
In “Zany Zoo Tunes” the students will take a trip to the “musical zoo,” where they will learn about the unique qualities of the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn through the music of Saint-Saëns’ classic “Carnival of the Animals” and other works. After this aural field trip, the students will become the casting directors for a musical production starring the creatures they encountered in the zoo.
The Kinderkonzerts series is specially designed to introduce young students to the Symphony music experience in an age-appropriate format. Bringing Symphony musicians and instruments to the students and performing on site with small ensembles of instrument families rather than the full orchestra provides a more intimate, less overwhelming learning experience. “Offering a cycle of four concerts allows us to have multiple contacts with the students,” says Michael Kosmala, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement. “The earlier we reach these students, the greater the opportunity to make an impact.” This season’s Kinderkonzerts began in November 2004 with an exploration of the string section and will continue in March and April 2005 with the brass and percussion families, respectively. “Using this format, we can introduce musical concepts at one concert that can be reiterated throughout the cycle and the year in the students’ regular classroom lessons,” Kosmala explains.
The schools chosen for the Kinderkonzerts series were selected to serve diverse geographic and economic populations. In addition, says Kosmala, these particular schools are supportive of the program and are interested in maintaining an arts curriculum in their regular school classes. Peninsula Elementary and Lent Elementary have been participating in the Kinderkonzerts program for several years; Kosmala hopes to build a similar relationship between the Symphony and its newest participating school, Witch Hazel Elementary, located in Hillsboro. “The inclusion of Witch Hazel Elementary allows us to offer our program to outer Washington County,” says Kosmala. “Our mission is to provide arts education and build relationships with communities so that we can continue to support them in their schools.”
“Zany Zoo Tunes” will be performed on Monday, Jan. 24 at 9 and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Witch Hazel Elementary in Hillsboro; the 9 a.m. concert is sold-out. The concert will repeat at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at Peninsula Elementary in north Portland; the 10 a.m. concert is sold out. The series will conclude with three performances at Lent Elementary in southeast Portland at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26; the 9:30 a.m. concert is sold out. Tickets are $2/per student.
All children are welcome to attend these concerts. Daycare programs and homeschoolers are encouraged to attend. For more information about Kinderkonzerts, contact the Symphony’s department of Education and Community Engagement at 503-228-4294 or visit the Symphony’s Web site at www.orsymphony.org.