The Little Orchestra Society Announces 2011-2012 Season

Dino Anagnost, the late Music Director of The Little Orchestra Society (The LOS), said that he was primarily concerned with children having a joyous experience in the concert hall. If the love was there, he felt, education would follow. His legacy of fun and learning now becomes the foundation that will shape the 2011-2012 season. The 64th season includes a roster of talented guest conductors performing the popular Happy Concerts and Lolli-Pops^TM series, including a new concert performance celebrating music and dance entitled West Side Story and Other Music of the Americas; the return of The LOS's thrilling original puppet and dance production, a reimagining of Prokofiev's Cinderella, Cinderella and the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon; as well as perennial favorites Amahl and the Night Visitors, Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf. In addition, The LOS continues its wide range of educational programs to reach people of all ages as the search for a new music director begins.

"I am very pleased to announce our 64th season of concert and music education programs," said Joanne Bernstein-Cohen, Executive Director of The Little Orchestra Society. "We were greatly saddened by the recent death of our long-time Music Director, Dino Anagnost, but honor his work by building on the foundation he left us, to inspire and engage audiences of all ages for decades to come, with our special brand of innovative programming. Our new production of Menotti's moving Amahl and the Night Visitors shimmers; Carnival of the Animals, with guest artist Peter H. Reynolds, amazes, as color, movement and music combine to tell a story; and the gorgeous puppetry, music and dance in Cinderella and the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon enchant. These are just a few examples of what the new season holds."

HAPPY CONCERTS
For Young People Ages 6-12
The Peabody Award-winning concert series of three programs incorporates multiple art forms and narration to enhance audiences understanding and enjoyment of music.

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Guest conductor Edwin Outwater, Music Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, leads this glittering presentation, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of composer Gian Carlo Menotti's birth, that will enchant audiences of all ages. This masterpiece of universal love and generosity, directed by John Sheehan, highlights the color and excitement of Three Kings Day. Staged in a Latin American setting, this heartwarming performance offers a spirit of hope, joy and human kindness.

West Side Story and Other Music of the Americas
Saturday, February 4, 2012, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Celebrating the influence of dance music of the Americas, this lively new program features the Dancing Classrooms Youth Dance Company, a project of American Ballroom Theater, internationally known through the films Mad Hot Ballroom and Taking the Lead. The music of Leonard Bernstein, Alberto Ginastera and Aaron Copland will be led by guest conductor Gerald Steichen.

Cinderella and the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon
Saturday, March 10, 2012, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Guest conductor James Judd leads this production of the classic fairy tale, set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev. Choreographer Lisa Rinehart and character and production designer Manju Shandler bring dancers, puppets, a fifteen-foot-tall Fairy Godmother and a Magic Dragon to the stage!

All performances are at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Single Tickets from $15 to $50; 3-Concert Subscriptions from $36 to $120; available by calling 212-971-9500 or at littleorchestra.org.

LOLLI-POPS ^TM - 25th Anniversary Season
For Children Ages 3-5

Kids love to visit their friends-Bang the Lion, Buzz the Bee, Toot the Bird and Bow the Panda - as they listen, learn and laugh out loud with the orchestra. Direction and choreography of the Lolli-Pops^TM series is by Annette Jolles.

Who's Got the Beat?
Saturday, October 22, 2011, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 23, 2011, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The orchestra has the beat, but can you find it? Children learn how the rhythm and beat combine to make music move. Guest conductor Jeffrey Grogan leads the orchestra in Spanish and Hungarian dances - the famous "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen and the Hungarian Dance No. 5 of Brahms.

The Orchestra - A Happy Family
Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 13, 2011, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Enter the world of musical treats where candy canes, chocolates and instruments meet! Children learn how the drums Bang, the strings Bow, the brass Buzz and the winds Toot while listening to music led by Jeffery Grogan including Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy and Debussy's Cakewalk.

Carnival of the Animals
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, January 29, 2012, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Camille Saint-Saëns' beloved Carnival of the Animals, guest conducted by Daniel Meyer, comes to life as Peter H. Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of the Judy Moody books, one of which is now a major motion picture starring Heather Graham, creates original artwork before your eyes. See and hear how music tells a story!

A Musical Toy Store
Saturday, March 3, 2012, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 4, 2012, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Discover how spinning tops, rocking horses and bouncing balls inspire musical magic. Conductor Daniel Meyer leads music by Prokofiev, Bizet, Schumann and Haydn.

Peter and the Wolf
Saturday, April 21, 2012, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 22, 2012, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
One of the world's most beloved compositions for children, the tale of Peter and the Wolf is told as children learn to recognize the instruments and themes of each character.

All performances are at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues) Single Tickets from $15 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) to $40 (prime seating); 5-Concert Subscriptions from $75 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) to $125 (prime seating); 3-Concert Series from $45 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) or $90 (prime seating); available by calling 212-971-9500 or at littleorchestra.org.

Patrons are invited to join the Maestro Circle to receive exclusive privileges including VIP seating, invitations to meet the guest conductors and artists, and other special treats. Support as a Maestro Circle member helps to keep music in the lives of thousands of New York City public school students through The LOS's music education and public service programs.

MUSIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS

Whether introducing children to classical music for the first time, enabling families to attend a concert together, creating access to live classical music for senior citizens, or working with students to become composers, all while enhancing the understanding of and connection to classical music, The Little Orchestra Society strives to make music meaningful, accessible, and memorable to all members of our community.

The LOS offers a three-pronged approach to music education and public service that targets underserved populations in New York City, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community, through the following three programs:

Musical Connections: The School Partnership Program
An in-school music composition program in the New York City public schools.

Live in Concert!
Providing tickets and educational materials free-of-charge to underserved public school students, children in publicly-funded day care centers and social service agencies and their families.

Project 65Plus
Reaching out to the senior members of our community, providing them and their grandchildren with free tickets to LOS family concerts, as well as learning seminars about the music and composers in our concerts for adults.

About The Little Orchestra Society

The Little Orchestra Society, now in its 64th season, performed its inaugural concert at The Town Hall on October 20, 1947, and has since been devoted to performing innovative concerts of classical music for both adults and children. The Orchestra performs dynamic repertoire using multiple art forms with a variety of artists to create meaningful musical experiences for today's audiences.

Throughout its history, the Orchestra has given many important premieres and launched the careers of major musical talents in its concert programming for adult audiences. Under the direction of Dino Anagnost from 1979-2011, The LOS has been deeply committed to music education and public service. Its music education and concert programs educate and entertain New York Metropolitan Area children, their families and senior citizens through the Musical Connections, Live In Concert! and Project 65Plus programs.

Musical Connections: The School Partnership Program, a year-long music education program, teaches students the basic elements of music by engaging them in the process of composing their own works. Live In Concert! seeks to instill a lasting love of music in children and their families and expand audiences for classical music. New York City public school students and children from New York City-funded daycare centers and social service agencies attend The Little Orchestra Society's dress rehearsals and concerts without charge. Project 65Plus recognizes the importance of life-long learning and provides senior New Yorkers with free admission to the Orchestra's concerts for adults. The LOS also works to serve grandparents who are caregivers. More than 15,000 people participate in LOS music education and public service programs each year.

The Orchestra's concert series includes the Peabody Award-winning Happy Concerts for Young People for children ages 6-12, the Lolli-Pops^TM for children ages 3-5, and the concerts for adults, which have included Vivaldi's Venice, Cathedral Concerts - Great Music Under a Byzantine Dome® and Sound Discoveries®. For more information, please visit littleorchestra.org or call 212-971-9500.

 

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