| PB&Js with the Symphony | | Print | |
| Written by Laura Apelt | |
| Sunday, 17 September 2006 | |
 How in the world can you get a kid interested in classical music these days, when all they ever listen to on their own is Avril Lavigne or P Diddy? The obvious answer is... make it FUN!
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra offers the PB&J series - events that encourage children to get interested in the classical arts. These one-hour presentations concentrate on keeping the kids entertained by providing fun stuff to watch as well as great stuff to listen to. Since we all know how short an attention span those little minds can have, seeing them spend an hour being fascinated by things relating to the classics is a magical sight to behold. Sunday's "The Listener" was a partnership with the Magic Circle Mime Company, two characters who badly want to get in on the orchestra action. Through the antics that ensue, the audience learns about the different ways music is used for Broadway, movies, dance, opera, and just plain listening. But to me, the most entertaining thing to watch was the children themselves. Far from being bored, the elementary school-aged members of the audience danced and conducted from their seats, while their parents laughed at the entertainment right along with them.
When Mr. Z tells us about music written for the ballet, the mime brings on his female counterpart to dance Swan Lake. Then when they break out into a tap routine, we kind of figure that role isn't very well suited for them either. In the end, the mime discovers that the best role he can play in the symphony world is that of Listener. After all, the audience is a very important part of the orchestra. Once he stops not listening, a whole new world opens up for him as he uses his imagination to join in the fun. This program included some of the most popular classical hits - Swan Lake Suite by Tchaikowsky, "Les Toreadors" from Carmen, and the most well-known to the kids - the theme of Star Wars by John Williams. I know it's cheesy to say I love John Williams because everyone loves John Williams, but the thing is... so do the children. The wonderful thing about choosing pieces they're familiar with is that they'll now associate them with a live symphony, not just with images on a screen. Which is the true purpose of the PB&J Series, to give kids a reference point so maybe they can say, "well, if I like this, maybe I'll like that, too". The Symphony also provides entertainment for an hour before the perfomance. This one included youth performances, a juggler, and hands-on instrument demonstrations. Virginia Symphony Orchestra is truly making strides to bring in young audiences. They might go back to Avril and P Diddy when they get home, but they'll still have a great memory of enjoying classical music by live musicians. And just maybe, they'll listen to John Williams' work next time instead of skipping the ending credits. Upcoming PB&J Events:
Halloween Spook-Tacular
The Polar Express
Gigantic Adventures in Music: Episode II
Music...Out of This World!
Unicorns & Other Mythic Beasts
|
At first, the mime tries to take over the conducting job from Mr. Z (Shizuo Kuwahara). When he is obviously shown up by the real conductor, he tries to find other ways to participate. His bugle call pales next to Stephen Carlson's rendition of 'Danny Boy', of course - though I'm sure that with a little more practice, he could give the Associate Principal Trumpet a run for his money. Maybe next year.