Press Release: New West Symphony Partners with Carnegie Hall to Present Concerts for Students and Families
In collaboration with Carnegie Hall, the New West Symphony presents “The Orchestra Rocks” student and family concerts on March 1, 2, and 5. Carnegie Hall’s LINK UP Program, The Orchestra Rocks, emphasizes rhythm and involves participation by 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. The New West Symphony and Carnegie Hall have provided course materials for 5,200 students, and have partnered with 200 teachers in 16 Ventura County school districts to provide music instruction. Students have been preparing to clap/stomp, sing or play recorder from the audience for the rare opportunity to perform with the professional New West Symphony orchestra.
“Teachers and principals have been very grateful for the new program and the resources provided by the New West Symphony and Carnegie Hall that are allowing them to teach music in the classroom,” said Karen Gatchel, education programs manager with New West Symphony. Ms. Gatchel has personally recruited and trained all participating teachers, and for many this was their first experience teaching music.
The works being performed include Thomas Cabaniss’ Come to Play, Giuseppe Verdi’s Anvil Chorus from Il trovatore, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Finale from Symphony No. 4, Igor Stravinsky’s Dance of the Adolescents from The Rite of Spring, Carl Orff’s O Fortuna from Carmina Burana, Gustave Holst’s Mars and Jupiter from The Planets, and Thomas Cabaniss’ Drumlines.
Joining the New West Symphony orchestra for the program will be actor Jeffrey Scott Parsons as Master of Ceremonies, three lead singers from the New West Symphony Staff – Allie Leslie, Rebecca Madigan and Emma Pell, a balalaika player, and the Oxnard High School Drumline.
Performances
Symphonic Adventures, performances of The Orchestra Rocks for students and teachers only, will be held on Wednesday, March 1st at Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 10:00 am and 11:30 am, and on Thursday, March 2nd at Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza at 10:00 am and 11:30 am. These performances are closed to the public and participation has been arranged by each participating school. Press passes are available.
The Orchestra Rocks Family Concert is available to the public and will be held on Sunday, March 5th at Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza at 2:00 pm. The Orchestra Rocks Family Concert, generously sponsored by Sigrid Weidenweber, will have the same performers as Symphonic Adventures and will add the Los Robles Children’s Choir, violin soloist Kevin Miura from Colburn School, and New West Symphony’s Harmony Project of Ventura County musicians on stage. Prior to the concert, the New West Symphony Music Van, our musical ‘petting zoo’ will be setup on the Kavli Patio from 12:30-2:00 pm, where young and old can play real orchestra instruments.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children and are available on the website at www.newwestsymphony.org or by calling (866) 776-8400. Press passes are available.