The Little Orchestra Society presents Camille Saint-Saëns’ beloved Carnival of the Animals on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Peter H. Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of the Judy Moody books, brings the music to life, drawing while the orchestra performs excerpts. Daniel Meyer conducts as the Lolli-Pops characters put their twist on the narration of this classic story. In a grand finale, Mr. Reynolds animates his illustrations allowing kids to both see and hear how music tells a story.
All children in attendance will receive a Little Orchestra Society coloring book, specially designed by Peter H. Reynolds. In addition, Mr. Reynolds’ books will be available for sale in the lobby where he will do a signing after each performance.
Performances are at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues). Single Tickets are available for $15 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) and $40 (prime seating); 3-Concert Series for $45 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) and $99 (prime seating) by calling 212/971-9500 or at littleorchestra.org.
Every note and every word of the 2011-2012 season is dedicated to the memory of Dino Anagnost, who led The Little Orchestra Society through 32 seasons of joyful music making.
About Lolli-Pops™
In the Lolli-Pops™ series (ages 3-5, 20 performances, 5 open dress rehearsals), the programs introduce young children to the basic elements of music, and incorporate dance, music and visual art with the help of characters who each represent one of the four families of the orchestra. At each Lolli-Pops™ concert children actively participate in the program and also receive musical instruments or educational materials to take home. Preparatory and follow-up activities are sent via email to all concert attendees. The Lolli-Pops™ series was originally created by the Orchestra’s late Music Director, Dino Anagnost.
About Daniel Meyer
Winning acclaim for his dynamic programs, engaging presence and keen musical intellect, Daniel Meyer is at the forefront of American conductors today. A passionate advocate of music education and outreach, Meyer has developed a new series of youth concerts based on popular children’s books to promote music and literacy. Currently Music Director of the Asheville Symphony and Erie Philharmonic, Mr. Meyer’s guest conducting engagements during the 2011-2012 season include the Grand Teton Music Festival, Rochester Philharmonic, Knoxville and Hilton Head Symphony orchestras, and the Westmoreland Symphony, where he serves as Artistic Director.
From 2003 through 2009 Meyer was Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. While there he worked closely with Mariss Jansons, Manfred Honeck, Sir Andrew Davis and Charles Dutoit, led the Pittsburgh Symphony on tour and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony on its first ever tour to China. Mr. Meyer and the PSO were awarded the 2006 Bank of America Award for Excellence in Orchestra Education.
Mr. Meyer’s 2010-11 season included the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Eugene Symphony, and the Asheville Lyric Opera in performances of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. He also made a critically-acclaimed European debut with the Staatstheater Stuttgart Orchestra, leading a program of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1 with Thomas Zehetmair and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
In summer festival appearances, Meyer has led the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center, and the Chautauqua, and Brevard festival orchestras. He was awarded the 2002 Aspen Conducting Prize and subsequently served as Assistant Conductor to David Zinman at the Aspen Music Festival.
About Peter H. Reynolds
Peter H. Reynolds is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, creativity advocate, and founder of FableVision, an award-winning educational multimedia company located in the Boston Children's Museum.
This is Peter's third appearance with Little Orchestra Society; he is quickly becoming an audience favorite. As Peter states, “I love connecting the dots between art and music. Illustrating a live concert is a wild, exhausting challenge, but one that’s been amazingly nourishing for me. Knowing that my performances inspire others fuels my creative journey.”
