Friday, September 05, 2003
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Dancing and playing with fairytales and classics
By
Alison Momeyer
On Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m., dancers and musicians will share the stage of Corbett Auditorium at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
It's a can't-miss evening with some of our city's youngest performers as the Starling Chamber Orchestra and the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet premiere a piece from the Fairytale Project, one of six new works based on fairytales, myths, and legends from around the world, along with a newly choreographed ballet set to Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.
It would be a mistake to prejudge these performers based on age. The musicians of the Starling Chamber Orchestra, who range in age from 8-11-years-old, have musical skills that far exceed their years. Selected by audition from throughout the United States and abroad, students attend weekend classes in performance, ear training, theory, chamber music, and orchestra at the Starling Preparatory String Project at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
According to parent and board member, Steve Miron, whose family relocated to Cincinnati so that his son Jonathon could study with Maestro Kurt Sassmannshaus, "the Starling Chamber Orchestra offers superb music development guidance and unprecedented performance opportunities for young musicians."
Composer Douglas Lowry, Dean of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music, composed the work from the Fairytale Project and will narrate the performance. 11 year-old orchestra member Jonathon Miron will be the featured soloist.
The dancers from the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet are also young professionals. According to the Academy, "technical skills, stamina, discipline, artistry, virtuosity and professional performances" all combine to set their school apart. As the Starling Chamber Orchestra plays music from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the dancers will perform a newly choreographed ballet by Academy Director, Daniel R. Simmons.
What a rare treat to witness two equally talented groups of artists at work on their craft, creating new legends and playing the classics together.
For More Information: http://www.starling.org/ or: http://www.cincinnatiballet.com/education/education_academy_overview.html
Alison Momeyer is a freelance writer working amidst the chaos produced by
her five-year-old daughter and three-year-old twin boys.
