Melrose Symphony's Annual Family Concert Delights Kids of All Ages
By Ellen Putnam
On Sunday afternoon, the Melrose Symphony Orchestra's annual Family Concert returned to delight a sold-out crowd with a gentle and fun introduction to the world of classical music.
As in years past, the concert was preceded by an "instrument petting zoo" where orchestra members helped children try out different instruments, from violin to trumpet to bass drum.
The brief concert - perfectly timed to work for short attention spans - began with the Star-Spangled Banner and a medley of popular tunes from the musical "Wicked."
Then the orchestra played Leroy Anderson's "Waltzing Cat," complete with whines from the high strings that really did sound like a cat meowing, and what Conductor Yoichi Udagawa called a "bark-a-long" at the end. "You don't get to bark at most classical music concerts," he joked.
Before the concert wrapped up with tunes from "Star Wars," Udagawa used the "Star Wars" theme to demonstrate to the audience how each section of the orchestra - strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion - contributes to the sound of the whole. Finally, the audience enjoyed an encore of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Throughout, children danced in the aisles, and made noise without having to worry about being shushed.
Part of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra's mission is to make classical music more accessible and fun, and the annual family concert contributes perfectly to that goal by creating a fun, educational opportunity for kids of all ages.
