Music of
Children are welcome to move during the program. Feel free to let kids get up, dance, and participate in the interactive moments. Adults are asked to remain seated throughout the program unless you need to take a child out of the space.
Have any questions or concerns? Find a volunteer or staff member with an Inside the Orchestra name tag and we'll be happy to help!
WELCOME! ABOUT US
Inside the Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are passionate about the world of the orchestra being a place for everyone. We work to cultivate an inclusive and equitable environment where all children feel welcome. We have a completely open door policy, providing experiences that are otherwise unavailable to many children, communities, and schools. In-person programs are open to the public and in metro Denver schools. Virtual programs are available around the world.
VIOLIN
Byron Hitchcock
Michael Brooks
Takanori Sugishita
Lionel Young
Kathy Thayer
Désirée Suàrez Ward
VIOLA
James Shaw
Lora Stevens
MUSICIANS
CELLO
Wayne Templeman
Jennifer Fouse
BASS/Erhu
Mike Fitzmaurice
FLUTE
Cora Crisman
OBOE
Kathryn Simpson
BASSOON
Deborah Torp
TRUMPET
Daniel Leavitt
HORN
Devon Park
TROMBONE
Mark Bennett
PERCUSSION
Peter Cooper
Our professional musicians are members of the Denver Music Association, a local union chapter of the American Federation of Musicians. We are committed to supporting professional musicians with fair compensation.
CONDUCTOR
PROGRAM NOTES
Funga Alafia - We welcome you to Music of the World with this traditional welcome song from west Africa. Funga Alafia means “welcome” in the Yoruba language. Little ones are invited to get up and move their bodies with this piece of music.
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens recorded this song in 1958. It was based on a Mexican folk song of the same name that originated in the 17th century. Valens’ version combined the Mexican folk elements with rock and roll. Valens is considered to be the forefather of the Chicano Rock movement, and La Bamba is the only song on Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list not to be written or sung in English.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - This Serenade was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Austria in 1787. The title translates to “a little night music.” A dancer from T2 Dance will join us to show us how the choreography, or dance movements, changes with the tempo, or speed of the music
PROGRAM NOTES, CONTINUED
In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt Suite -byEdvardGrieg tellsthemusicalstoryofaboywhomustescapeformatroll.Itbegins withaquietdynamicandslowtempo,andbecomeslouderandfaster asthepiececontinues.Youmightrecognizethisasbeingusedinthe filmTrolls,butthismusicwasactuallycomposedin1875!
De Colores -ThisisaMexicanfolksongthatisover400yearsold.This versionisplayedbyourorchestraalone,buttheoriginalSpanish lyricsspeakaboutaloveofallthecolorsofspringtime.
Stars and Stripes Forever -isamarchcomposedin1896bythe“March King,”JohnPhillipSousa.In1987byanactofCongress,itwas officiallyadoptedasthenationalmarchoftheUnitedStatesof America.Likeallmarches,ithasastrong,quickpulse.Littleonesare welcometomarchalongtothispiece.
William Tell Overture -Thisexcerpt,titled The March of the Swiss Soldiers, isrecognizablefromitsfrequentuseinpopcultureand,most famouslyasthemusicfromthe Lone Ranger.Itwascomposedaspart ofanoperabyItaliancomposerGioachiniRossini.Listenforthe trumpetfanfareatthebeginningandagallopingtempo.Pretend you’reridinghorseswithusinthisfast-pacedfinale!
Arrangements by Daniel Leavitt.
Inside the Orchestra is committed to representation. Over 40% of our programming comes from the artistic body of BIPOC and/or female artists, or is from the folk traditions of historically underrepresented cultures
Learning Resources
Keep the fun and learning going with our Music of the World Resource Packet! Inside, you’ll find activities for kids aged 3-12, a playlist of the music you heard today, and more! Click HERE to access.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Your ticket purchase only covers a portion of our costs, and nearly 30% of our tickets are provided free or at a reduced rate. Can you help schools and families in need get Inside the Orchestra?
Click HERE to donate now!
Robert & Judi Newman