GR Symphony Presents Lollipops Concerts July 19
2008-06-12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES SUMMER LOLLIPOPS CONCERTS JULY 19 AT SUNSHINE COMMUNITY CHURCH
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 30, 2008 – A full orchestra and narrator will produce wide-eyed wonder in young listeners when the Grand Rapids Symphony presents the Lollipops concert “Carnival of the Symphony,” sponsored by Target. Performances will be Saturday, July 19, at 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Sunshine Community Church in Grand Rapids. Conducted by Associate Conductor John Varineau, these 45-minute concerts are a perfect introduction to music for children ages three through six.
The performances will feature the musical story of “Billy and the Carnival.” Billy goes to his local park where he meets grownups carrying instruments and wearing fancy clothes. One by one they introduce themselves and their instruments with solos announcing each instrument by name. Following all of the excitement, Billy takes a nap and dreams that a carnival is coming to his park. When he wakes up, his dream comes true and the orchestra plays a concert at the carnival!
In keeping with the concert’s exciting carnival theme, the program will also feature Naughtin’s “Rollercoaster,” Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the Tumblers,” Smetana’s “Dance of the Comedians” and Fucik’s “Entrance of the Gladiators.”
“This concert will have the energy and fun similar to a summer carnival,” John Varineau said. “We’ll be performing music that’s full of energy and will take listeners on a wild ride without leaving their seats.”
To help children identify the different instrument families of the orchestra, Symphony musicians will wear colored t-shirts to show whether they belong to the string, woodwind, brass or percussion family. These colors help children understand the various sections of the orchestra. Complimentary lollipops are also available for the children as they leave the performances.
Tickets for “Carnival of the Symphony” are $5, general admission. Call Ticketmaster at 616/456-3333, go to ticketmaster.com or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.