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Family
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A family concert is presented each year to introduce families and children to the magic of the symphony. Watch for the announcement of the family concert schedule during the season. Previous family concerts have featured:
The 2010 family concert featured the magic of Lemony Snicket
The WSO introduced the whole family to the instruments of the orchestra in Lemony Snicket's clever whodunit: The Composer Is Dead by Nathanial Stookey.
The annual family concert also featured Lynden Christian High School senior Janna Mulder in the Allegro from Mozart's Bassoon Concerto.
And area music students joined the orchestra for Sibelius' tone poem Finlandia.
2008 season: "The Great Variety" Family Concert
This lively and entertaining concert was free for all children and was an exciting way for the whole family to enjoy great music. Pre-concert activities allowed the children to explore the world of art and music. The concert included student performers from our community in the orchestra and as soloists. The audience enjoyed music and was able to sing and dance, and even try some conducting with a glow stick! Children of all ages enjoyed the non-stop action and experienced the wonder of a live orchestra performance.
2009 season: Hansel and Gretel Family Opera
The Symphony presented its first Family Opera, Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, for the community. This opera was suitable for children of all ages. Children were amazed at the gorgeous set design, the thrilling characters and delighted in the beautiful music sung by the most talented singers of the region.
In the pre-concert activities, children explored the sounds of music by visiting the Instrument Petting Zoo, learned a dance that is part of the opera performance, participated in a directed drawing exercise and on a small stage, shared their fairy tales they composed in school.
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Elementary School |
Each year thousands of elementary school students enjoy live music and interactive presentations by Symphony Musicians. For grades k-5, there are two programs: Beethoven In The Schools and Musicians In The Schools.
Beethoven In The Schools
Every spring, Whatcom Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Grant Donnellan and his accompanist visit hundreds of children in grades K-3 and share the joys of music. Dressed in 19th-century period costume, "Beethoven" leads young students through the interactive process of musically animating a story.
Musicians In The Schools
Symphony musicians present a series of concerts, bringing instrumental music to the elementary schools of our community. Each concert feature a particular section of the orchestra; strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Education packets addressing lessons outlined in Washington State's Essential Academic Learning Requirements are sent to teachers to integrating the music performance and interactions with subjects such as science, history and social studies. The program is designed to inspire elementary school students to choose an instrument and play in their school music ensembles.
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Strings: Brass: |
Woodwinds: Percussion: |
Special thanks to our sponsors:
BP, Bellingham Arts Commission, Conoco Phillips, and Whatcom County
