Little Orchestra Society’s
First Annual Gala
Apr 26, 2004
Marriott Marquis, TS, NY
When we think of classical music, we seldom think of children. This is because of the stigma that is tied to classical music, namely, that it is a music only to be appreciated by mature audiences. Well, there is an organization that has set about to change all of this. It is the Little Orchestra Society. This organization, under the leadership of its President, William Craig, III, and the music direction of maestro Dino Anagnost, has very deftly created a series of programs which incorporate live cartoon characters, magic acts, costumes and story-telling to educate children about classical music, developing an appreciation within these youngsters for a more refined, more intellectual form of music. Ultimately, the goal of The Little Orchestra Society is to introduce classical music to children, so they can enjoy it through their lives. This organization also presents classical music to adults in a manner that will broaden and deepen their understanding, not to mention their enjoyment, of all kinds of classical music. The age group breakdown for audiences is children from 3 to 5, children from 6 to 12, and adults. While there are three main age groups, two for children and one for adults, all three types of performances are effectively structured for their respective age groups.
For children, performances include a teaching of the various disciplines involved in classical music, an introduction of the music created by different composers, the different instruments that that are used to play classical music, and the various historical periods out of which classical music pieces have emerged. The Little Orchestra Society’s collaborations have included the American Spanish Theatre, Tsai Fung Chinese Dance Company and CinQue Folkloric Dance Theater.
For adults, each performance includes a commentary by the conductor and guest hosts before and during all the performances to give the audiences a framework for enjoying and understanding the concert by giving them the background for the music to be performed.
While classical music is often associated with a high price tag to attend an orchestral performance, it is nice to know that The Little Orchestra Society has taken this into account, keeping not only the quality of the performance high, but the cost of attending one low, thereby allowing for an audience which includes people who otherwise may be economically excluded.
Thanks to The Little Orchestra Society’s Chance for Children and Project 65 Plus community outreach programs.
The performances that night were absolutely superb, We heard the “Blue Tango”, by Leroy Anderson; a wonderful performance called “Lolli-Pops”, featuring the Lolli-Pop Characters Toot (Michelle Tibbitts), Bow (Robin Higginbotham), Bang (Tommy Labanaris) and Buzz (Eric Jackson); an Aaron Copland piece called “Hoe-Down” from Rodeo; “Toyland”, taken from Babes in Toyland, a Victor Herbert piece that was beautifully sung by mezzo soprano Rosa Pascarella; Antonio Vivaldi’s “La Primavera” (“Spring”) from the Four Seasons that was played by violinist Kurt Kikkamen; an Astor Piazzolla composition called “Invierno Porteno” from Four Seasons of Buenos Aries, Wojciech Kilar’s “Salto”, performed by clarinetist Judith Sugarman; “Silk Road: Encounters” from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, performed by cellist Tan Dun, “Danzon No. 2”, a piece composed by Artury Marquez and Leonard Bernstein’s “Excerpt” from Wonderful Town.
After the concert, Ms. Donna Murphy was honored for her fabulous working show business. Ms. Murphy had been honored numerous times, having received everything from Tony Awards to Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, even a Cable Ace Award and a Daytime Emmy. Her past accomplishments, to name a few, include Widerful Town, The King and I, A Door in the Floor, The Astronauts Wife, Murder One, and so many more.
We would like to thank Ms. Heather Kray, Director of Marketing and Audience Services, as well as John Kordel, Managing Director for the Little Orchestra Society, for inviting us to cover this wonderful, and highly educational event. Without either of them, it would not have been possible. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Little Orchestra Society may visit their website at http://www.littleorchestra.org/
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