March 18, 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, concludes its cycle of four concerts with “Juice Box Jammin’,” an exploration of the percussion section on April 4, 5 and 6 at three Portland-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 who will introduce students to the different instruments in the percussion family.
“Juice Box Jammin’,” the final Kinderkonzert of the 2004-05 season, features Symphony percussionists Chris Perry, Tom Sessa and Gordon Rencher, who will demonstrate to narrator Amy Haroldson and the students how to make percussion instruments out of common everyday objects. “The most important ingredient in making instruments is using your own imagination,” says Sessa. The musicians will then explore the hidden musical instrument possibilities of paper bags, boxes, metal pipes, tin cans, trash cans, plastic and metal buckets, wine glasses, ceramic bowls and wooden chairs. They will also demonstrate how kids can use their own bodies as percussion instruments, known as “body percussion.” At the end of the program, the musicians will show the students how to make percussion instruments from items in their own homes.
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.” Previous Kinderkonzerts explored the string, woodwind and brass families. “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 to host the Kinderkonzerts series were selected to serve diverse geographical 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 support to them in their schools.”
“Juice Box Jammin’” will be performed on Monday, April 4 at 9 and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Witch Hazel Elementary in Hillsboro; the 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. concerts are sold out. The concert will repeat at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5 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, April 6; the 9:30 concert is sold out. Tickets are $2/per student and free to students in the federal free and reduced lunch program.
All children are welcome to attend these concerts. They are designed for students in grades K-2. Daycare programs and homeschoolers are also 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.