“The Philadelphia Orchestra is bringing Pinocchio and other beloved cartoon characters to life for an audience of children,” writes William Sokolic in a Saturday (3/22) Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, N.J.) article. “It’s all part of ‘Pinocchio and Cartoon Classics,’ one of many family concerts the orchestra performs each year. The audience in Verizon Hall of the Kimmel Center on Saturday will include 23 children from the Wiggins Family School in Camden—many of whom have never been to Philadelphia despite its proximity, according to Barbara Sparks … of the American Association of University Women … [which] has purchased tickets for thousands of children ages 6 to 12, rotating among schools and after-school programs…. Students from the Veterans Memorial Family School attended the Feb. 1 concert.… The seminar allowed the kids to have hands-on experience trying percussion, woodwind, brass and string instruments. Such experiences can leave a lasting impression…. [Music teacher Norman] Dorrell mentioned one student, Sol Rivera, who attended a concert and heard Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy.’ ‘She figured out the melody by herself,’ he recalled. ‘Now she’s ready to audition for the Creative Arts High School.’ ‘Each year, a handful are bitten by the bug after they see instruments played at a performance,’ Dorrell said.”
Posted March 25, 2014
