The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra recently continued its Once Upon an Orchestra musical series with two engaging performances at McKee Botanical Garden geared toward the younger set. The program, funded through an Indian River Impact 100 grant, is an entertaining way to introduce children to orchestral instruments through 40-minute musical story times.
“This is our saxophone quartet. We haven’t done a sax feature yet; mostly it’s been brass and woodwinds,” said Aaron Collins, SCSO conductor and artistic director, who later delighted the audience as he narrated the story “Cup of Friendship” about a curmudgeonly King Gilbert, made less so by music.
“These are concerts designed for preschool children to be introduced to live orchestral instrumental music in a kid-friendly environment where they can get up and move around and dance. They don’t have to be quiet or sit still,” said Jennifer Royals, SCSO principal clarinetist.
“Impact funded the first two years, so next year we’re on our own to see this program grow and expand. That’s where we find the challenge of continuing to find funding for these programs,” said Collins. He added that a donor has stepped up to fund the next few programs, and they will continue to seek contributions for future programming.
“We love the partnership here at McKee. We do some at the Brevard Zoo as well; we kind of do them in tandem. We’re trying to strike up more and more partnerships,” said Collins.
As for the full orchestra, Collins said “we never stopped; we never took a break. We did the drive-in concerts during the summer and now we’re back inside.”
With fans eager to enjoy an orchestral concert and reduced capacity regulations at the Vero Beach High School PAC, their last concert quickly sold out. “We had to turn people away,” added Royals.
They expect the same with their upcoming April 25 and May 23 concerts, the last two of the 2020/2021 season.
“Then we’ll start right back up in June. There’s no break, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Collins.
Their 2021/2022 season begins in June, with four concerts planned over the summer, plus the children’s programming.
Upcoming SCSO concerts will take place at 3 p.m. at the VBHS PAC. April 25 features Ravel’s Bolero, Fuchs’ Piano Concerto “Spiritualist” and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Grammy-winning pianist Jeffrey Biegel. At the May 23 Fan Favorites Part III, the Space Coast Symphony Youth Orchestras will perform alongside professional SCSO counterparts.
The next in the Once Upon an Orchestra musical series for small fry are at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. May 8 and May 29 at McKee Botanic Garden.
For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
