“Stella is one brave little girl,” states an article in Friday’s (2/3) Idaho Statesman (Boise). “She’s about to embark on the journey of her young lifetime—a ride across America in a hot air balloon. Don’t worry, she’s not in any danger because this is a musical adventure, one that will help hundreds of kids learn to listen to music in a whole new way. Stella is the brainchild of Boise Philharmonic music director Robert Franz, who will conduct a Family Series concert ‘Stella’s Musical Tour of America’ Saturday, with narration by former astronaut Barbara Morgan. The story and the music work in tandem to illustrate ways of listening to music using their imagination. … Franz has been doing his Children’s Concert ‘Musical Tour of America’ for about 20 years. But now that he’s invented Stella, it’s more than a concert. Franz has written a children’s story that he hopes will become a book filled with buttons you can push to hear the full symphonic music. … Franz created his educational programs to match school curriculum, which includes a focus on geography. He has learned that by matching the musical side to what kids are already learning, it takes it to another level.”
Posted February 7, 2012
