“The National Philharmonic welcomes more than 10,000 second graders to the Music Center at Strathmore during the annual Strathmore Student Concerts from now through Thursday, Nov. 16,” states a text and video report by Michelle Queen on Tuesday (11/14) at Montgomery Community Media (Maryland). “The purpose of the program is to expose every Montgomery County Public Schools 2nd grader to a live performance of classical music. The students learn about classical music and prepare for the concert hall experience during the month of October…. For many young people in Montgomery County, the National Philharmonic is their first exposure to classical music.… National Philharmonic Associate Conductor Victoria Gau … selected music that bridges the classical canon and new works…. Works by Beethoven and Brahms are paired with compositions by American composers Leonard Bernstein and Jennifer Higdon, and music by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez. Gau was also conscious to include gender and ethnic diversity to reflect demographics in the County…. The concert also includes a new commission from Bethesda-based composer Charlie Barnett, Second Grade Second Line, a short participatory work that introduces different sections of the orchestra … Students are engaged through call and response, clapping, and percussive music-making from the audience.”
Posted November 15, 2017
