The Mid-Texas Symphony presents its annual free Children’s Concerts for fourth- and fifth-graders from New Braunfels, Seguin and other nearby communities on October 22nd at the New Braunfels Civic Center and on October 23rd at Jackson Auditorium in Seguin. Under the baton of Music Director David Mairs, the Mid-Texas Symphony will perform Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with David Ferguson, news director of KNBT, narrating.
Since 1988, the Mid-Texas Symphony has invited area elementary students to attend special concerts designed for them. This year the Symphony will perform for approximately 4,400 students from schools in New Braunfels ISD, Comal ISD, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Seguin ISD, Marion ISD, Navarro ISD, Wimberley ISD and Blanco ISD, and from private and parochial schools including New Braunfels Christian Academy, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, St. James Catholic School, the Master’s School, and Lifegate Christian School. Grants from the Cecilia Young Willard Helping Fund, Target, HD Supply, and the Seguin Rotary Club help support the concerts.
Composed in 1936, Peter and the Wolf is a charming piece Prokofiev wrote specifically for children. It is a story about a boy named Peter (portrayed by the strings) and his friends the duck, bird and cat (oboe, flute, and clarinet respectively) who try to outsmart a wolf (portrayed by the French horns). Not only is Peter and the Wolf a beloved work, but it is also a wonderful way to learn about the different instruments in the orchestra.
Mid-Texas Symphony Vice-President of Education, John Gesick, notes that the Symphony presents the concerts totally free of charge for the schools and also provides curriculum material and CDs with the excerpted music to help prepare the students for the concerts. “These concerts are an important part of the educational mission of the Symphony,” said Gesick. “For many of these students, this is the first time they have ever heard a live orchestral performance. With the cutbacks in educational funding for the arts, these concerts have become more and more important in the arts experiences of the regional children.”
Music teachers and school staff agree with Gesick about the importance of this opportunity for their students, as their emails reflect:
“We always look forward to the Symphony every year.”
“Thank you once again for providing such a wonderful opportunity for the students of Guadalupe County; your efforts are greatly appreciated!”
“Thank you for providing such a great event for our students and community.”
“Thank you, we look forward to your docent materials for pre-teaching, and especially your wonderful concert!”
“Thank you for providing this invaluable experience for the children of New Braunfels.”
“I would like to take a minute and say what a fantastic job your organization does for our local community. Without your concerts, some of our children would never hear a live orchestral performance ...especially one of the caliber of the Mid-Texas Symphony. I appreciate all that you and your staff do for the school children in our area.”
“We are really looking forward to this concert!!”
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