…it is to attend a Family Orchestra Concert at St. Olaf College. The family friendly concerts are geared towards children and have become popular. We didn’t arrive early because we didn’t anticipate the crowd that completely filled the auditorium to overflowing. It was awesome to feel the enthusiasm in the room.
Before the family friendly concert there was time for children to touch and feel the instruments (what I’ve heard called “an instrument petting zoo”). Children can learn a bit about instruments and meet the musicians. From our seats it looked like there was wonderful interaction going on between the children and the college students.
When it was time for the concert to begin everyone quieted down and one could feel the excitement in the air as the music began. The selections were upbeat and fun!
The concert started off with the classic William Tell Overture and then a storyteller from Minnesota Public Radio (this is quality entertainment!) recited a story while the orchestra played “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” in the background.
Next the orchestra played a lovely piece from the movie Frozen.
There was a children’s conductor contest and the winner stood on the podium, by themselves, and conducted the students playing “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music.
We were introduced to a Northfield duo who love to create children’s music. The two professors sang two of their original songs: one called “Underwear Spaghetti” and the other “I Love To Sing.”
The finale was Chewbacca, a Star Wars character, who appeared on stage and conducted the orchestra for the Main Title from Star Wars. It was fun, and a great animated performance by Chewbacca.
It looked like the concert was as pleasureable to the student participants and conductor as it was for the audience. Everyone, young and old alike, seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a thoroughly delightful time. I wish my grandchildren could have been there.
We left the concert with our hearts full of joy.
We had a trumpet for sale…we advertised it locally and got one response. We made arrangements for the interested party to see it. He stopped by and said he doesn’t play the trumpet…he was buying the trumpet to give away… to pay it forward. He explained, when his two girls were younger they were each given an instrument by someone wanting to help out his young family. He told himself he would pay it forward someday…and this was that day. He handed us crisp $20 bills, more than the asking price, and walked out the door.