The WSO Reaches Out to the Student Community With Free Concert

Winnipeg, MB ’Äì October 27, 2009 ’Äì This Friday, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presents Dvorˆ°k’Äôs New World Symphony, one of the most popular works in the modern repertoire, to over 650 students from across the province ’Äì at no charge.’Ä®’Ä®

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is committed to reaching audiences of all ages with their Education and Outreach Programs, and throughout the month of October, high school students were introduced to orchestral music in a unique, up close and personal way ’Äì some for the very first time.’Ä®’Ä®

As a result of the success of the Up Close & Orchestral (UCO) program, over 3,500 students have received a rare opportunity to meet the WSO musicians and music director Alexander Mickelthwate and to make a direct connection to symphonic music. ’ÄúWe choose a concert to offer to students on the free night that is a natural evolution to the programming that UCO currently does,’Äù says Tanya Derksen, Director of Education & Outreach. ’ÄúAt the Up Close & Orchestral concerts, Alexander talks to the students in an engaging and interactive way that appeals to them, so when we offer the opportunity to hear the WSO again, there is always a positive response from the students. Alexander is one of the key reasons for the success of the free concert as he continues that rapport with them even at the concert hall!’Äù’Ä®’Ä®

Schools who will be attending from across the province include: WC Miller Collegiate, Oak Park High School, College Jeanne-Sauve, R.B. Russell High School; Faith Academy High School; Garden City Collegiate, St. John’Äôs-Ravenscourt, St. James Collegiate, Dakota Collegiate, Glenlawn Collegiate, West Kildonan Collegiate, Gordon Bell, MBCI, Miles Macdonell Collegiate; River East Collegiate; Westpark High School; Kelvin High School; St. Norbert Collegiate; Ecole Christine-Lesperance; and College Louis-Riel.’Ä®’Ä®

The October 30 concert will feature: Bramwell Tovey’Äôs Urban Runway ’Äì a jazzy interpretation of American folk history ’Äì through the world of fashion; Christopher Rouse’Äôs Flute Concerto ’Äì a certifiable hit being performed by the WSO’Äôs flutist, Jan Kocman; and Dvorˆ°k’Äôs New World Symphony ’Äì a multicultural blend of Native and African-American musical traditions ’Äì all conducted by Alexander Mickelthwate.’Ä®’Ä®

The WSO performs the Masterworks concert, Dvorˆ°k’Äôs New World Symphony, on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 at 8 pm at the Centennial Concert Hall. Tickets range from $20 to $75 and are available through the WSO box office at 949-3999, online at www.wso.ca or through Ticketmaster (780-3333 or ticketmaster.ca).