Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
February 8, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … A single melody can possess infinite colors and flavors depending on how, when, where and what instrument is played. This musical fact will be explored at the Oregon Symphony’s Young People’s Concert, designed for third through fifth graders, on Friday, March 2, and Monday, March 5, at 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and Thursday, March 1, at 9:30 and 11 a.m. at Willamette University’s Smith Auditorium in Salem.
The concert will center around Benjamin Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” and will include two related works—Purcell’s Rondo from Abdelazer and a Symphony premiere written by Oregon Symphony Resident Conductor Gregory Vajda, titled “Purcell-Variation.” The program will also include Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” Variations for Piano and Orchestra.
“We want the students to listen carefully and think critically about what they hear by presenting it in an age-appropriate and engaging manner,” said Emilia Smith, Director of Education and Community Engagement. “We hope that they leave the hall excited about the music, and with an understanding of how a melody can be varied using different musical elements.”
The concerts will feature pianist Marshall Cuffe, a 16-year-old junior at Sprague High School in Salem. Marshall also plays viola in the Sprague High School Camerata Orchestra. In 2005 he was named the Outstanding Young Musician by Portland’s All Classical 89.9 radio station. His original composition, “Variations on Amazing Grace,” was selected, among others, in an Oregon Music Teacher’s Association-sponsored composers competition.
Young People’s Concerts are age-specific and support common curricular goals of the Oregon Content Standards in multiple subject areas. The Symphony’s Department of Education and Community Engagement works with area teachers, administrators and parents to develop concerts that provide students with quality experiences in the arts that are relevant to their current learning skills and knowledge and encourage active participation.
The Symphony’s family of Youth Concerts is designed for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Over 20,000 students throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington attend these concerts each year.
Tickets to the Young People’s Concert are $3 per student and free for students in the federal free and reduced-lunch programs, and free to all chaperones. Registration is required. For more information call 503-228-4294 or visit the Symphony’s Web site at www.OrSymphony.org.