The Ridgefield Library Presents... STORIES WITH MUSIC FROM THE RIDGEFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Gina Wilson, Executive Director of the RSO will narrate a tale with musical accompaniment by Wendy Kerner Lucas, RSO harpist.
Saturday, March 9
11:00 - 11:45
Ages 4 and older
At St. Andrews Lutheran Church
6 Ivy Hill Road
RSO musicians supporting KEYS - Kids Empowered by Your Support
Sunday, January 27
PYP Brings “The RSO Goes To School” to 4th Graders
By: Ruth Wilder Feldman
Productions for Young People (PYP) with additional sponsorship by Baumann & Sons Buses, Inc. is presenting a series of musicianship workshops featuring the talents of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) to all of Ridgefield’s 4th grade public school students this April. Thanks to the support of PYP by Ridgefield parents, the PTA’s, and community groups, PYP has been able to team up with the RSO to create this opportunity for students to be educated on a wide variety of orchestral instruments at the very age the public schools begin the ensemble music programs.
“The RSO is thrilled to be part of PYP’s spring program and can’t wait to introduce our musicians to Ridgefield’s fourth grade,” says Gina Wilson, Executive Director, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. “Our musicians are eager to share their love of music and of the orchestra!” As an added bonus, the RSO has graciously extended an invitation to the students to attend the first rehearsal of the 2011-12 season in October and meet Music Director, Jerry Steichen.
Musicians have already started visiting the classrooms as of the week of April 4th. Throughout the month, classroom visits will be made to all 4th grade students for a combined total of 51 workshops. A different musician from the RSO will present a different instrument each day at each of the 6 elementary schools, during their regularly scheduled music classes. The first week features string instruments, week 2 features brass instruments and week 3 concludes with woodwind and percussion instruments.
In addition to the classroom visits, each school will also have one school-wide performance led by Petko Dimitrov, Assistant Conductor of the RSO. The performance will consist of 16 members of the orchestra who will perform various pieces of music as well as the opportunity for all students to get involved in the performance.
“Productions for Young People is so excited to be able to collaborate with the RSO and its many local talented musicians to bring this program "The RSO Goes To School" to the children of Ridgefield's Elementary Schools. We are so fortunate to live in a community that has so much to offer in the arts for everyone both young and old" said Nancy Zangre, co-president of PYP.
Baumann Bus Company has offered additional sponsorship making this a true team effort on behalf of Ridgefield’s students. Jim Poisello, Jr., Director of Human Resources at Baumann is enthusiastic about the opportunity as well.
“Baumann & Sons Buses, Inc. have had the opportunity to support the Ridgefield Connecticut community since July 2003. During our tenure, we have involved ourselves in a multitude of community-based projects. Once again it is our pleasure to partner with The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra in promoting the musical education for Ridgefield students.”
PYP is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers from each Ridgefield’s public elementary and middle schools. Members preview and present cultural events in the Ridgefield schools. For more information on this program or PYP, please contact Ms. Zangre at nancyz48@aol.com.
RSO in the Community
Members of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra perform in solo and small ensembles at church services and services and events in Ridgefield throughout the season. Watch for dates soon!
Kerry Walker, principal flute, and Melissa Westgate, principal Cello, at Redding Elementary School
