skagit symphony treats fifth-graders to live concert · 2013-02-04 · accommodate all 1,200...

Date: Feb 3, 2013; Section: Community; Page: D5 Skagit Symphony treats fifth-graders to live concert Skagit Valley Herald staff Children who may have never before set foot inside a concert hall or listened to a live concert were treated to a special performance last month by Skagit Symphony inside McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. “There is no anticipation quite like the moment when the conductor, his back to the audience, raises his arms before signaling the down beat for the first notes of a symphony concert,” said Skagit Symphony Executive Director Linda Henley. The Symphony performed its sixth annual School Concert for fifth graders from 22 area elementary schools on Friday, Jan. 25, at the hall on the Skagit Valley College campus. The concert was performed twice back-to-back to accommodate all 1,200 students and teachers in the 650-seat theater. The Symphony performed the same program the following Sunday, Jan. 27, for the general public. This year’s theme was Celebrate the Small but Mighty Instruments, a 50-minute program featuring the works of Mozart, S i b e l i u s a n d R o s s i n i . Before conducting, Maestro Roupen Shakarian talked about each piece and explained the role of the piccolo, triangle and other unique items. He emphasized that, though small, these instruments serve an important role in the orchestra. The concert began with pieces that emphasized the “small but mighty” instruments, such as sleigh bells in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and the piccolo in John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Henley said the Symphony’s annual concert series was originally conceived by retired teacher Jacqueline Stegner in 2005. She said Stegner felt Skagit County elementary students would benefit from more exposure to classical music, so after recruiting the Skagit Symphony and completing the planning and approval process over several years, the Symphony performed its first School (and Family) Concert in January 2008. Former teachers Susan Adams and Eileen Andersen compile extensive background information on the Symphony’s concert selections every year so fifthgrade teachers can prepare their students before attending and to benefit the public. Anyone interested can visit www.skagitsymphony.com/education to learn about the composers whose work was performed, historical timelines in relation to the composers’ lives, references to the art of the period and links to musical websites. The Symphony conducts surveys each year to gauge the children’s reactions. Henley said the fifth-graders’ positive reactions are often surprising, remarking that the music is “cool,” and that they would come again. For many students, she said the concert is their first experience inside a concert hall. As the Symphony bears all concert costs, it relies heavily on donations from local service clubs and private donors. Regardless of the mostly volunteer organization’s financial situation, Henley said the Family Concert is always performed at discount prices: $10 for adults and free for kids 16 and younger. For information about Skagit Symphony, visit www. skagitsymphony.com or call 360-848-9336. Photos courtesy of Chris Terrell Skagit Symphony members demonstrate string instruments to the audience in the McIntyre Hall lobby before the Family Concert Sunday, Jan. 27, at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon. Shown are string bassist Monica Kidder (from left), celloist David Jones, violinist Ward Beebe and violist Celeste Weaver. http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/skagitvalley/PrintCo... 1 of 2 2/4/13 8:56 AM

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Page 1: Skagit Symphony treats fifth-graders to live concert · 2013-02-04 · accommodate all 1,200 students and teachers in the 650-seat theater. The Symphony performed the same program

Date: Feb 3, 2013; Section: Community; Page: D5

Skagit Symphony treats fifth-graders to liveconcertSkagit Valley Herald staff

Children who may have never before set foot inside a concert hall or listened to a live concert were treated to aspecial performance last month by Skagit Symphony inside McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon.

“There is no anticipation quite like the moment when the conductor, his back to the audience, raises his armsbefore signaling the down beat for the first notes of a symphony concert,” said Skagit Symphony Executive DirectorLinda Henley.

The Symphony performed its sixth annual School Concert for fifth graders from 22 area elementary schools onFriday, Jan. 25, at the hall on the Skagit Valley College campus. The concert was performed twice back-to-back toaccommodate all 1,200 students and teachers in the 650-seat theater. The Symphony performed the same programthe following Sunday, Jan. 27, for the general public.

This year’s theme was Celebrate the Small but Mighty Instruments, a 50-minute program featuring the works ofMozart, S i b e l i u s a n d R o s s i n i . Before conducting, Maestro Roupen Shakarian talked about each piece andexplained the role of the piccolo, triangle and other unique items. He emphasized that, though small, theseinstruments serve an important role in the orchestra. The concert began with pieces that emphasized the “small butmighty” instruments, such as sleigh bells in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and the piccolo in John Philip Sousa’s“Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Henley said the Symphony’s annual concert series was originally conceived by retired teacher Jacqueline Stegnerin 2005. She said Stegner felt Skagit County elementary students would benefit from more exposure to classicalmusic, so after recruiting the Skagit Symphony and completing the planning and approval process over severalyears, the Symphony performed its first School (and Family) Concert in January 2008.

Former teachers Susan Adams and Eileen Andersen compile extensive background information on theSymphony’s concert selections every year so fifthgrade teachers can prepare their students before attending and tobenefit the public. Anyone interested can visit www.skagitsymphony.com/education to learn about the composerswhose work was performed, historical timelines in relation to the composers’ lives, references to the art of the periodand links to musical websites.

The Symphony conducts surveys each year to gauge the children’s reactions. Henley said the fifth-graders’positive reactions are often surprising, remarking that the music is “cool,” and that they would come again. For manystudents, she said the concert is their first experience inside a concert hall.

As the Symphony bears all concert costs, it relies heavily on donations from local service clubs and private donors.Regardless of the mostly volunteer organization’s financial situation, Henley said the Family Concert is alwaysperformed at discount prices: $10 for adults and free for kids 16 and younger.

For information about Skagit Symphony, visit www. skagitsymphony.com or call 360-848-9336.

Photos courtesy of Chris Terrell

Skagit Symphony members demonstrate string instruments to the audience in the McIntyre Hall lobby beforethe Family Concert Sunday, Jan. 27, at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon. Shown are string bassist MonicaKidder (from left), celloist David Jones, violinist Ward Beebe and violist Celeste Weaver.

http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/skagitvalley/PrintCo...

1 of 2 2/4/13 8:56 AM