The Chicago Chamber Musicians (CCM) will present My, What Big Ears You Have! (The Better to Hear Music with, My Dear), for their annual Family Concerts, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22, in cooperation with Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, where all concerts will be performed. These concerts are designed to introduce the joys of classical music to children ages 3 - 12.
The 2006 concerts continue CCM's tradition of providing 10 percent of the house in complimentary tickets through its Angel Program to children and families for whom the ticket price might prevent them from being able to attend. The program extends CCM's hands-on music education work in the Chicago Public Schools by providing students with the opportunity to attend a professional classical concert with their families.
The concerts will include the Grammy-nominated "Little Red Riding Hood," by Bruce Adolphe, and "Peter and the Wolf," by Sergei Prokofiev, and will be presented each day at both 10 and 11:30 a.m. In addition to the performances, CCM Ensemble and guest artists along with the narrators will join the families in the lobby for autographs and pictures each day from 11 to 11:25 a.m. Young musicians from local music schools will demonstrate and answer questions about each of the featured instruments. Additionally, information on music lessons, instruments, rentals and sheet music will be provided.
A young musician who demonstrated her cello last year, Ayanna Williams, was inspired by the 2005 concert to perform with her string quartet at her school. This year, CCM has invited Ayanna's quartet, The Sugar Strings, whose musicians range in age from 7 to 13, to demonstrate as a young chamber ensemble.
'Peter and the Wolf'
In 1936, Sergei Prokofiev wrote both the story and the music of "Peter and the Wolf" for children. He cast most of the instruments as the various characters in the tale whose moral is: to be a hero, you must take risks.
Representing Peter (strings) are Joseph Genualdi, violin; Jasmine Lin, violin; Rami Solomonow, viola; Marina Hoover, cello; and Bradley Opland, double bass. Representing the Wolf (horns) are Gail Williams, Bill Barnewitz, and Jason Snider.
The Duck (oboe) is performed by Michael Henoch, with the Grandfather (bassoon) by Dennis Michel. The Hunter (percussion) is played by Michael Kozakis, the Cat (clarinet) by Larry Combs, and the Bird (flute) by Mary Stolper. In addition, Charles Geyer plays trumpet and Jemmie Robertson, trombone.
‘Little Red Riding Hood'
Bruce Adolphe did not cast the instruments in the various roles of his 1997 version of Charles Perrault's classic children's story, but chose instead to create identifying tunes for each character. Adolphe has taken some license with Perrault's cautionary tale that involves the timely use of the Heimlich maneuver. According to Adolphe, "In my 1997 version, I've written a new ending that, I hope, will amuse everyone, including wolf fans." This piece will be performed by Michael Henoch, oboe; Jasmine Lin, violin; Rami Solomonow, viola; Marina Hoover, cello; and Deborah Sobol, piano.
Single tickets are priced at $12 for ages 3 to 12, and $15 for adults. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office at (312) 595-5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com. |
