Up Close and Musical

March 16, 2000

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HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

By Doug Gavel
Gazette Staff

James Yannatos conducts the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. Photo by Jon Chase.

Their eyes aglow with delight, hundreds of Cambridge public school children packed the Sanders Theatre on Friday afternoon for a special Outreach Children’s Concert performed by the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO). For many, it was their first exposure to classical music in such a majestic setting.

"This place is awesome," said Tobin School fifth-grader Sarah Perlmutter, staring up at the dramatic balcony that rings the historic theatre. "It’s cool," according to Agassiz School fourth-grader Lily Clark. Even the teachers were impressed. "I’m really happy for the kids because they don’t often get the chance to hear such beautiful music in such a beautiful building," said Fletcher School learning-disability specialist Penelope Giannakopoulos. "No doubt they’ll talk about it for days on end."

Ari Shwayder '03 displays his violin technique for Tayla Beckford, 6, of the Agassiz School in Cambridge. Photo by Jon Chase.

The students took advantage of the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with members of the Orchestra, who ventured into the audience before the concert to exhibit their instruments. A group of fifth-graders from the Fletcher School seemed fascinated by the French horn that Jonathan McPhie ’03 held before them. He explained how the sounds are molded through nearly 60 feet of brass. Teacher Barbara Condon looked on with a smile, saying that "all of [her students] are involved in music lessons in school…and [the concert] will help them make the connection between what they’re learning and their own potential."

Orchestra members were equally excited about the chance to share their passion with impressionable youth. "This is a great opportunity for kids to hear and learn about music," said violinist Meyeon Park ’01. "I think they’re very excited. They have wide eyes and lots of questions." Sarah Cove ’03 fielded several questions as she carried her bassoon up and down the aisles. The bassoon, a large, U-shaped woodwind instrument, looks like a cross between a clarinet and a saxophone. "Most kids have never seen it before," she admits. "It’s great to see their reactions."

The program began with "The Procession of the Nobles" from Mlada, a stately and dignified piece that brought the room to order. It continued with various selections from Dvorak’s New World Symphony, and the concert ended with a bold and stirring rendition of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. In between, hosts Brian Seeve ’03 and Betsy Ogburn ’03 entertained the audience with a running skit involving different members of the orchestra. There were brief solos to demonstrate the range of various instruments, including the cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, English horn, and piccolo. Throughout the show, the children sat engrossed, listening intently, some even swinging their arms, imitating conductor James Yannatos.

The Orchestra hopes to make the Children’s Concert an annual event, according to Emily Wei ’02, the HRO Outreach full-orchestra director. And that would be just fine with Fletcher School physical education teacher Ellen Mahan, who remarked, "the fact that children as young as kindergarten are this attentive shows that this is a really valuable learning experience."