NY Philharmonic Closes Very Young People Series with DEBUSSY & FRIENDS, 6/5

The 2010-11 New York Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts, designed for  children ages 3 to 6, will conclude on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m., and  Monday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67th Street. The program, titled "Forte and Piano," will explore how dynamics make music fun, and  will feature selections by Debussy and Milhaud as part of the season's theme, Debussy  and Friends. Philharmonic Associate PrincipAl Viola Rebecca Young is the host; Dorian
Rence, also a violist with the Philharmonic, is the writer and narrator of stories about  Philippe the Penguin, a character created for the series; and Marion Schoevaert is the  illustrator.

Performing in these concerts are Philharmonic musicians Mindy Kaufman, flute; Sherry  Sylar, oboe; PascuAl Martinez Forteza, clarinet; Kim Laskowski, bassoon; and Howard  Wall, horn.

Now in their sixth season, the Very Young People's Concerts are designed by  Philharmonic musicians working with faculty from Teachers College of Columbia  University to introduce young children to classical music through games, active listening,  and hands-on music-making. Before each concert, musicians are stationed in the Merkin Concert Hall lobby to greet families and initiate musical activities on the day's theme. After each performance, children have an opportunity to try orchestral instruments themselves.