Music in the Schools February 2018
Chamber Music at Mendocino K-8: On October 1st, the Pajaro Hill String Sextet, an ensemble of musicians from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties (two violins, two violas, two cellos), performed for Mendocino K-8 students, playing excerpts from Souvenir de Florence by Tchaikovsky and Fantasy Sextet for Strings composed by one of the ensemble's violists Jeff Ives. On February 9th, the New Quintet (musicians from Mendocino and the Bay Area) introduced their instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn) and played music from an array of stylistic periods. On both occasions the musicians enjoyed answering the many questions posed by their young audience in response to the performance. Contributions make it possible for the Symphony to bring music to the schools as well as provide free admission to students for all Symphony and Opus Chamber Music concerts. Donations to Symphony of the Redwoods can be designated for the Music in the Schools program.
Symphony of the Redwoods Children's Concert, March 2018
On March 30th, Symphony of the Redwoods presented a special program for the children of Redwood and Dana Gray elementary schools in Fort Bragg. The Symphony introduced composer Antonin Dvorak with his Slavonic Dance #1 and Ludwig van Beethoven with sections of his Second Symphony. The theme for the concert was Feelings in Music: the orchestra demonstrated how rhythm and melody can create different moods, and students were introduced to the instruments of the orchestra and how they "talk" to each other in music. The theme was punctuated with a selection of tunes from the movie Frozen that elicited excited responses from the children. Conductor Les Pfutzenreuter and narrator Marcia Douglas did an outstanding job relaying the message and the music to the young audience, and students and teachers alike left with a song in their heart and a bounce in their step.
These concerts were made possible by a grant from the Arts Council of Mendocino County Get Arts in the Schools Program and donations from four generous private Symphony of the Redwoods supporters. Contributions make it possible for the Symphony to bring music to the schools as well as provide free admission to students for all Symphony and Opus Chamber Music concerts. Donations to Symphony of the Redwoods can be designated for the Music in the Schools program.
Music in the Schools Coordinator: Eva von Bahr
