Classical Music Fair: Petting Zoo, Art, Trivia Contest, NFA Dancers & Great Music
The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra (GNSO) traditionally offers a “family concert” every January that is aimed at engaging young people by introducing them to the world of classical music. These performances have always been very well received, but music director candidate David Bernard, wanted to elevate the idea of “family concert” to a whole new level. Bernard won the hearts and imagination of the audience this David Bernard past summer at the GNSO’s Summer Pops concert conducting John Williams’ Star Wars Suite dressed as Darth Vader wielding a light saber baton. For January, he has developed a familyfriendly event called Arabian Nights which will combine pre-concert activities, a narrated presentation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, topped off with Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances brought to life by a local dance troupe. “The rich cultural resources of the Newburgh community inspired this collaboration,” said Bernard. “We will not only immerse and engage the community in the beautiful melodies and brilliant colors infused in the music we perform, but we will also put the best of Newburgh artisans in music and dance
4
Delaware & Hudson CANVAS
on display for the community to see and experience firsthand.” Arabian Nights kicks off with the GNSO’s first-ever Classic Music Fair including an Instrument Petting Zoo, giving participants hands-on opportunities to try different musical instruments; the Art Station featuring drawing projects related to the music to be performed; Music Trivia Contests with prizes; and a Conducting Station where participants will conduct a small ensemble from the orchestra. For the concert, MaestroBernardwilllead the GNSO in Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances accompanying the Newburgh Free Academy’s Advance Dance troupe led by Mandy Clifford. The featured work Peninnah Schram of the afternoon, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, will include narration by the internationally renowned storyteller Peninnah Schram. “Storytellers transfix their audiences by illuminating powerful narratives from within the tales they tell. Scheherazade
January 2016
portrays this ancient art musically with melodies that offer narratives worthy of the best storytellers,” said Bernard. “By combining this incredible music with Peninnah’s magical storytelling and the engaging visuals, we hope to bring an unforgettable experience to the audience.” “We are thrilled to be expanding our already strong commitment to outreach in
the community to include these events,” said GNSO Board President John Bliss. “It has been a pleasure working with Maestro Bernard on planning Arabian Nights.” Arabian Nights will be presented January 16 at Aquinas Hall at Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, with the Classical Music Fair beginning at 1:30pm, and the concert at 3:00pm. The snow date is January 17. Tickets (students admitted free) can be purchasedonlineatwww.newburghsymphony. org or by calling 845-913-7157 and requesting a season brochure, or at the door.
Suburban Landscapes in Newburgh Describing her work as “an She holds a Bachelor of Arts from outside view of the suburban Queen’s College and a Master’s condition,” Terry Straus examines from Brooklyn College. her surroundings in an innovative As a member of the Allied Artists combination of traditional landscape Association, Straus has exhibited and pop art, interpreting familiar her paintings, drawings, and objects such as road signs and prints widely in galleries, and her electric wires with an eye to both monoprints were included in a PBS abstract form and social symbolism. special during the 1990s. Combining natural elements and The public is invited to meet the artist at a reception on January the tawdry artifacts of the suburban 10, from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the scene, she creates striking and Karpeles Manuscript Library sometimes unsettling images of “Great Curve” Museum, 94 Broadway, Newburgh. contemporary life. Admission is always free. Straus studied drawing at the by Terry Straus Visit www.karpeles.com or call 845-569Cooper Union Scholarship Program and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. 4997 for further information.