The Musical Journeys Program of the Fredonia School of Music will kick off its fifth season of free concerts designed to appeal to very young children. Selected student ensembles from the Fredonia School of Music will perform half-hour Children’s Concerts on four Saturday mornings with two performances at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 am beginning on Saturday, Oct. 2 in Darwin R. Barker Library, 7 Day Street in Fredonia.
Planned with the help of SUNY Fredonia faculty who are experts in music and education, the concerts are designed to introduce very young audiences (from infants to 6-year-olds) to musical instruments. The child-friendly environment will invite the children to sit on the floor close to the musicians; family members are encouraged to bring blankets or carpet squares to sit on. Strollers can be parked around the edges of the seating area.
“It is wonderful to see the college student’s enjoyment performing for the children, and to see the energy and excitement the children give in return. This venue gives preschool children a great chance to get close to the musicians and the music; to really participate and experience music intended just for them,” said Sarah Hamilton, associate professor of oboe and co-organizer.
A woodwind quintet will perform at the Oct. 2 concert. The musicians are Fredonia School of Music students Alyssa Czechowski (flute) of Holland, Stephanie Patterson (oboe) of Williston Park, Margaret Moriarty (clarinet) of Medina, Alexander Davis (bassoon) of Batavia, and Catherine Salisbury-Ruf (horn) of Liverpool.
“Our goal is to present an active, fun, music event that engages even the youngest children” said Katherine M. Levy, associate professor of music and co-organizer at the Fredonia School of Music. “Children’s Concerts help our excellent SUNY student musicians learn how young children respond to music at the same time as the young children who attend experience how live music moves and sounds and feels.”
Upcoming Children’s Concerts will be held on Nov. 13 at the Dunkirk Free Library; Feb. 26, 2011 at the Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia; and Apr. 9, 2011 at the Dunkirk Free Library.
The Children’s Concert Series is part of the Musical Journeys Program, a community outreach project offered by the Fredonia School of Music. More information is available at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/ccs.asp or call 716-673-4628.
