Middlesex Concert Band
CHORDS FOR KIDS: THE YOUNG EXPLORERS

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CHORDS FOR KIDS: YOUNG EXPLORERS

The Middlesex Concert Band will present its fifth annual "Chords for Kids" concert on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at the Americal Civic Center in Wakefield from 2:00P-3:30P. This year's performance, entitled "The Young Explorers," will take the audience on a musical journey to explore various musical melodies and rhythms. Following the musical performance, the Young Explorer's will have the chance to meet the musicians and try out the various instruments of the band in an instrumental "Petting Zoo."

During the afternoon's musical escapade, the Middlesex Concert Band's Music Director, Mark E. Olson, will bring our Young Explorers on a journey through the repeating melodies of Aaron Copland's "Variations on a Shaker Melody." The melody, better known as "Simple Gifts," will be heard throughout the piece, played in different styles and tempos. Three well-known nautical songs, played in a more festive than military style, will be heard in "Sea Songs," by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Appropriate to the season, the band will perform "October," by Eric Whiteacre, which will create serene images of Autumn through music and instrumentation. In the suite, "Scenes from the Louvre," by Norman Dello Joio, the audience will musically be taken through the "Portals" of that Paris museum to envision the regal "Kings of France" and romp in the "Children's Gallery." We will then hear how changing rhythms throughout a piece can change the feel of the music in "Cajun Folk Songs," by Frank Tichelli. Three different melodies will be played in "Mannin Veen," by Hayden Wood. With the help of Mr. Olson, the audience will explore each of these melodies and become familiar with the sounds of the instruments featured in the tunes. The enjoyable "The Whistler and His Dog," written by Arthur Pryor, will tell the story of a man looking for his dog. The piccolo will play the melody of the whistle, and children can listen to hear if the dog returns home. And, during the show, one child will be chosen to conduct the band as it plays John Philip Sousa's legendary march, "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Come join us for a very fun afternoon.

Join us!
Sunday, October 4th 2:00-3:30pm

Americal Civic Center,
467 Main Street, Wakefield, MA
Next to the Galvin Middle School. Directions (pdf)
The center is handicapped accessible

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children
or purchase a Family Pack (two adults, unlimited kids) for just $20.

Call Chris at 781-279-0108 or email Tickets for more information.

This project is supported, in part, by funding from the
Massachusetts Cultural Council, as administered locally by the
Wakefield Cultural Council.

Songs we will be performing:

Cajun Folk Songs -- Frank Ticheli
La Belle et le Capitaine, Belle. commissioned by the Murchison (TX) Middle School Band

Scenes from "The Louvre" -- Norman Dello Joio
The Portals, Children's Gallery, The Kings of France, The Nativity Paintings, Finale

Mannin Veen -- Haydn Wood
"Dear Isle of Man", A Manx Tone Poem

October -- Eric Whitacre
Commissioned by the Nebraska Wind Consortium, for Brian Anderson

Sea Songs -- R. Vaughan Williams
Princess Royal, Admiral Benbow, Portsmouth

Variations on a Shaker Melody -- Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring

The Whistler and his Dog -- Arthur Pryor

Wakefield's own Middlesex Concert Band, with over 60 volunteer performers, plays traditional and contemporary wind ensemble music, marches, big band sounds, folk tunes and music from Broadway and Hollywood. From September to May, the Middlesex Concert Band presents a series of pops and holiday concerts. The band joins the Wakefield Choral Society twice a year for concerts at The Americal Civic Center. During the summer months, the band can be heard playing traditional outdoor concerts in town parks and commons throughout the region. The band's mission is to promote greater knowledge and appreciation for wind music while bringing enjoyment to its listening audience

The band will be directed by Mr. Mark E. Olson. In addition to his position as Music Director of the Middlesex Concert Band, Mr. Olson is the assistant Director of Bands at Harvard University where he conducts the Harvard Wind Ensemble, The Sunday Jazz Band and serves as advisor to the Harvard University Band. Mr. Olson is also an active trumpet performer and a member of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. The Middlesex concert band was very happy to welcome Mr. Olson as its new music director earlier this year.

Copyright 2009© Middlesex Concert Band