Little Orchestra Society Presents TUBBY THE TUBA, 3/16

On Saturday March 16th, The Little Orchestra Society presents the event of the season, a performance of Tubby the Tuba with narration by the legendary Patti Smith. Led by Guest Conductor David Alan Miller, this is described as a unique take on a classic will follow Tubby in his discovery of melody and sound.

A childhood fan of George Kleinsinger's Tubby the Tuba, award-winning author, poet and rock legend Smith ignites this event with her electrifying stage presence and enthusiasm, bringing the story by Paul Tripp to life for the next generation of music fans. As she reminisces in her 2010 memoir Just Kids:

"One evening Harry and Peggy invited us to visit with the composer George Kleinsinger... I was elated to find original sheet music from Shinbone Alley in a pile atop a filing cabinet. But the real revelation was finding evidence that this modest and kindly snake-rearing gentleman was none other than the composer of the music for Tubby the Tuba. He confirmed this fact and I nearly wept when he showed me original scores for the music so beloved in my childhood."

Also joining The Little Orchestra Society will be an exciting roster of soloists: tap dancing sensation Lane Alexander; world-renowned pipa player Min Xiao-Fen; young cellist Nathan Chan; and dazzling soprano Soyoung Park. The audience will enjoy a movement from Morton Gould's Toccata (with cadenza) from his Tap Dance Concerto, Mozart's famous and virtuosic Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute and more.

Guest conductor David Alan Miller has established a reputation as one of the leading American conductors of his generation, lending his musical innovation to symphonies and orchestras around the world. As the Music Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years, Mr. Miller has joined the classic music of John Harbison, Don Gillis and Vincent Persichetti and many more with a signature character that has propelled the Albany Symphony Orchestra onto the national stage. Mr. Miller also serves as the Founder and Artistic Director of the "New Paths in Music" festival aimed at presenting the works of up-and-coming, non-American composers.

Director and Co-Founder of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Lane Alexander, has spent the past 30 years tapping his way through critically acclaimed performances with the London Philharmonic, the New York Pops and others. When he's not touring the world, Mr. Alexander teaches at the Tap Studio in Chicago, providing global dance expertise to new artists of the trade.

Pipa master Min Xiao-Fen began making waves in the Bay Area with her fusion of music by immigrant Chinese composers and traditional pipa works. After moving to New York, Ms. Min became inspired to build a bridge between the rhythms of New York's legendary jazz clubs and the classical pieces of her upbringing. Incorporating elements of the ancient Chinese musical instrument into her work, Min Xiao-Fen has mesmerized audiences from the Brooklyn Philharmonic to the Knitting Factory.

Nineteen year-old cellist Nathan Chan made his debut conducting the San Jose Chamber Orchestra at the astounding age of three. As a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony and the London Philharmonic, Mr. Chan's riveting performances have captivated listeners around the world.

Soprano Soyoung Park has performed the roles of Violetta from La Traviata and Gilda from Rigoletto. She recently performed the role of the Queen of the Night at the Aspen Music Festival. Ms. Park was awarded first prize at the Sungjung Music Competition in 2008 and Nanpa Vocal Competition in 2009, both in South Korea.