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Laura Dornberger of Jamestown and her godson, Noah Richner of Cassadaga, take a good look at the tuba belonging to SUNY Fredonia student Andrew Ehnes of Cheektowaga. |
The Musical Journeys Program of the Fredonia School of Music will kick off its second season of free concerts designed to appeal to very young children. Selected student ensembles from the Fredonia School of Music will perform four, half-hour Children’s Concerts on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. beginning on Saturday, Oct. 27 in the multi-purpose room of the Chautauqua County Home at 10836 Temple Road in Dunkirk.
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.
“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.
A violin and guitar ensemble will perform at the Oct. 27 concert. The musicians are Fredonia School of Music students Stephen Brew of Churchville (guitar), Michael Mendoza of Buffalo (guitar) and Carolyn Kluge of Penfield (violin).
Young children enjoy music when they can really see and hear what is happening, and when the program is brief and entertaining.” said Katherine M. Levy, assistant professor of music at the Fredonia School of Music. “The music students here are wonderful artists, and the Children’s Concerts will give them the opportunity to begin winning over the audiences of the future.”
Upcoming Children’s Concerts will feature a string quartet on Dec. 8 at the Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia; a trumpet ensemble on Feb. 16, 2008, at the Chautauqua County Home, and a Latin jazz ensemble on April 26, 2008, at 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. For more information, persons should go to online at www.fredonia.edu/som/mjp or call 716-673-4628.
