The Starkville/MSU Symphony presents the “Sing, Dance, Play, Paint!” concert Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Hall on the Mississippi State campus. Admission is free to the public.
The annual family concert concludes the Symphony Association’s month-long Programs for Children, a multidisciplinary music education program designed to introduce area school children to symphonic music. During the day Friday, more than 3,000 area K-5 children and teachers will attend three concerts in Lee Hall. The evening concert features a selection of folk and children’s songs, as well as Symphony No. 1 by Prokofiev, and the famous “Farandole” from Georges Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2.
The Symphony’s Programs for Children theme offers elementary students the opportunity to learn and interpret several classic folk songs, clapping rhythms, folk dance and folk art.
“Our Programs for Children initiative began in 1975, and this year, we are excited to showcase the program to over 3,000 area elementary students during our daytime concerts,” said Joe Ray Underwood, Starkville/MSU Symphony Association board member and director of the program.
Starkville Oktibbeha School District, Starkville Home School Music Co-op, Starkville Christian School, Starkville Academy and Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus are participating in this year’s program. Students from each school will attend one of the three daytime school concerts Friday. A display of student artwork will be presented at each school concert.
“Whether it’s through classroom lessons, art projects or learning choral versions of the songs, the Symphony’s goal is to introduce these treasured American favorites to our children in a new way,” said Underwood.
Programs for Children is supported in part through a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. Each year, it also relies on support from the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, the Starkville Area Arts Council, local school districts and Mississippi State University.
“The Programs for Children initiative is truly a community effort,” said Eric Hill, Symphony board president. “MSU transportation and event services, the Day One program, area school administrators, art and music teachers and Symphony musicians all work together to make it happen. And, of course, the program would not be possible without Joe Ray’s tireless efforts over the years.”
For more information, go to starkvillesymphony.org, facebook.com/starkvillesymphony or twitter.com/stksymphony.
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