New Mexico Philharmonic Performs for Youth at Popejoy
Two Concerts for 5th Graders from Local Schools on September 18th and 20th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALBUQUERQUE, NM, September 10, 2012—Ask any New Mexico Philharmonic musician to describe their favorite performances and many will answer, “The youth concerts!”
Now in its second year, the New Mexico Philharmonic is strongly committed to bringing exceptional performances to our young people of all ages. On Tuesday, September 18th and Thursday, September 20th at 10 a.m. and Noon the conductor will raise his baton, the musicians ready their instruments, and a glorious sound will fill Popejoy Hall’s magnificent performance space. Young eyes will open wider, smiles will appear, and everyone will settle in for a most exciting ride.
The program focuses on storytelling through music, and the central music that tells the story will be Stravinsky’s Firebird. The young audience of 5th graders from area schools will follow lines in the musical story in part by watching the individual musicians on a giant screen as they perform.
Byron Herrington, a well-known local conductor and trombonist par excellence, will conduct, with Nicole Manicacci, a musician with the New Mexico Philharmonic, narrating the story.
Soloing on violin will be Brian Wade, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Concerto Competition winner. He will thrill the young audience with a performance of Saint-Saens’ Rondo Capricioso with the orchestra.
PNM has generously agreed to be the title sponsor for the concerts. The City of Albuquerque is a partner in securing a portion of the funding for this important outreach to our youth.
The New Mexico Philharmonic recently unveiled their Education Platform. Dubbed “No Child Without Music,” the programming has been created to reach children at all levels. Their Young Musician Initiative will provide in-depth, hands-on music education to 40 elementary school children at a Title1 APS school. The program is based on El Sistema, a revolutionary new music education method pioneered in Venezuela 37 years ago. Today, El Sistema continues to transform the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children in that country.
Another programming element is Ensemble Visits, where NMP musicians visit schools to perform and teach students in small groups about instruments, music structure and music literature. Concerts at Popejoy Hall will reach over 15,000 fourth and fifth grade students during the current school year.
Fusion Performances will bring regional composers and photographers together to present joint visual and musical events in ten APS middle and high schools. The New Mexico Philharmonic will also be engaging middle and high school students by performing concerts at their schools. The repertoire will include familiar works, such as the music from “Star Wars” and other popular films, as well as introducing them to traditional classical music repertoire.
As the major professional orchestra in the state, the New Mexico Philharmonic is committed to inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds through its artistic excellence, innovative programming and educational and community engagement. The New Mexico Philharmonic is a non-profit corporation recognized as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by the IRS. To learn more about upcoming performances or to become a volunteer, please visit www.nmphil.org. Donations are gratefully accepted at www.nmphil.org/contrib.
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Media Contact: Chris Rancier
505-263-2959
crancier@comcast.net
