Buffalo Philharmonic Youth Concerts to blend music and visual arts; Concerts kick off Oct. 19 and 20

BUFFALO, NY – An artistic partnership between Verve Dance Studios and the Buffalo Philharmonic continues to bear fruit.
The dance studio, which is dedicated to the art of b-boying and hip-hop culture, united with the orchestra in a common mission to provide artistic education to young people. In past seasons, Verve dancers have had integral roles in youth concerts and entertained at events held after evening concerts. This year, Verve co-founder Shane Depree Fry will be painting onstage during the “Feel The Music” Youth concerts, aimed at kindergarten through second grade students. Fry is also a visual artist and has spent several years exploring the fusion of music and visual arts.
“Shane is painting to the last movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as the culmination of our Feel the Music program, which focuses on how music and art help us express emotions and moods,” said BPO Director of Education and Community Engagement Robin Parkinson.  “Through his artwork, he will be expressing the way the music feels to him as he listens.” The focus of the “Feel The Music” concerts is exploring key emotions through music as well as movement and visuals.
The first of these concerts take places at 10:15 and 12:15 on Oct. 19 and 20 at Kleinhans Music Hall. All first grade students from the Buffalo Public Schools will be in attendance on Wednesday and all second grade students on Thursday. In addition to the collaborative element, this will also be the first season that the Buffalo Philharmonic has been able to serve all K-6 students in the Buffalo Public Schools – an estimated total of 20,000 students.
The media are invited to attend either concert. If you are interested, please contact Kate Jenkins at the phone number or email listed above so that we may assist you.

 

As Buffalo’s cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the leadership of music director JoAnn Falletta presents more than 100 concerts each year. Since 1940, the orchestra’s home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark with a reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. During the tenure of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has rekindled its history of radio broadcasts and recordings, including the release of 37 new recordings on the Naxos and Beau Fleuve labels. For more information about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, visit www.bpo.org.

 

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