Long Beach Symphony partners with the Long Beach Unified School District and four schools in Wilmington to present chamber ensembles to 2nd and 3rd graders. Our teaching artists’ present 45-minute interactive performances that demonstrate each instrument family – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Through the presentations, students learn about the instruments of the orchestra, how they create sound and what role each instrument or instrument family plays within the orchestra. The Symphony strives to align the content of the Elementary Ensemble program with State Visual and Performing Arts Standards and core curriculum. The Elementary Ensemble program helps prepare students to experience the full orchestra, live in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Terrace Theater.
STRINGS “R” US – INTRODUCTION TO THE STRING FAMILY
This program is produced by Julie Metz, a professional musician and credentialed teacher. Julie has created educational programs for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pacific Symphonies. To see a video of the exciting program, go to her website at www.julielmetz.com
Julie Metz, violin, ensemble leader & creator
Sarkis Gyurgchyan, violin
Debra Price, viola
Victoria Bacon, cello
STRING ENSEMBLE
In an interactive and fun manner, the string ensemble introduces the instruments of the string family. Through games, students learn how music can express emotions, how to follow a melody as it moves from instrument to instrument, and how musicians follow a conductor. Lots of audience participation adds to an engaging performance.
Andy Honea, cello & ensemble leader
Cynthia Moussas, violin
Craig Gibson, viola
Linda Stone, violin
WOODWIND ENSEMBLE – MUSIC TELLS A STORY
The quintet presents a lively interactive concert experience demonstrating the woodwind instruments of the orchestra and the characters they portray in musical storytelling. Lots of audience participation with favorite popular and classical repertoire.
Laura Stone, oboe & ensemble leader
Paul Castillo, clarinet
Leslie Lashinsky, bassoon
Stephanie Stetson, french horn
BRASS ENSEMBLE
The brass quintet of the Symphony brings its excitement to elementary schools in Long Beach and Wilmington. Each instrument is demonstrated with sound, stories and personality, capturing the attention of the students and teachers. Selections of music chosen for their impact and relevance are packed into a concise and entertaining 30 minute program. The students leave the concert thrilled by the sounds of brass music, warmed by the friendliness and humor of the musicians, and aware of the various instruments and general concepts of music.
Steven Durnin, french horn
Marissa Benedict, trumpet & co-ensemble leader
David Washburn, trumpet
Alvin Veeh, trombone
Doug Tornquist, tuba & co-ensemble leader
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE – PERCUSSION PAINTS PICTURES
This exciting, entertaining and informative ensemble uses three percussionists and one narrator and is based on typical percussion used in symphonic literature. Children are invited to use their mind’s eye (their imagination) as they travel to different countries based on the percussion sounds they hear: Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Cymbals, Triangle, Castagnettes, Xylophone, Chimes, Glockenspiel, Woodblock, Tambourine, Brushes, Sticks, and a whole array of Sound Effects.
The highlight of each show is an actual sword fight on stage whilst Tchaikovsky’s famous Romeo and Juliet segment is heard. Other compositions heard include those by Bizet, Rimsky-Korsakov,Glazunoff, Bernstein, and Copland. Multiple visual effects keep children “on their toes” and “at the edge of their seats”. The narrator engages each child to march, conduct, clap rhythms, share dialogue and even learn audience decorum fit for the symphony hall experience. Teachers at every school claim that this is a dynamic, fast paced and delightfully informative experience for their students.
Gary Long, principal timpanist & ensemble leader
Timm Boatman, percussion
Dave Gerhart, percussion
Jamieson Price, narrator, actor & swordsman