‘Once Upon an Orchestra’ is Musical Storytelling

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Graham Simons, 3 of Melbourne, tries his hand at the violin. A quartet from the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present Aesop’s Fables, the first in the four-part series Once Upon an Orchestra, to introduce preschool and kindergarten aged children to orchestral instruments. After the 30-minute program, children can check out stringed instruments, pose for photos as a musician and get a coloring book.

A string quartet from the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and professional singers will present Aesop’s Fables, the first program in a four-part Once Upon an Orchestra musical series for small fry at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 5 at McKee Botanical Garden, 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach, 32962. Designed for preschool and kindergarten aged children, the 30-minute outdoor program will introduce music and singing through the telling of four popular Aesop’s fables. During the story time adventure, children will hear the exciting tales of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Fox and The Billy Goat, The Mouse and the Lion, and The Mule, all while learning about the instruments of the string family. Each musical fable ends with a moral to the story. Following Aesop’s Fables by composer Anthony Plog, children can try out the instruments of the string section, strike a pose as a musician in the photo area and color in their free copy of the Once Upon an Orchestra coloring book. The musical program for children is free, with regular admission to McKee Botanical Garden. The Once Upon an Orchestra series is funded through a grant by Indian River Impact 100, an organization of women dedicated to impacting the community through transformational giving. For more information about Once Upon an Orchestra, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

Education Director for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Rebecca Simons is enthusiastic about Once Upon an Orchestra, the four-part series designed for small children. Each of the sections of the orchestra will be introduced to children by way of a familiar story.

“Aesop’s Fables will introduce the strings to youngsters, followed by a percussion ensemble in ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in December,” said Simons. “In January, kids will learn about woodwinds through the ‘Bremen Town Musicians’ and in May a brass quintet will play ‘Carnival of the Animals.’ Families are welcome to bring their babies and toddlers, too. These are informal concerts for fun and learning.”

For more information about the Space Coast Symphony’s 2019-20 Season, youth programs or the Symphony for Everyone discount ticket program, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.