Tualatin Valley Symphony's Annual Family Concert
$15 ($10 student/senior; ages 12 & under free)
Arthur Breur — Amber the Ambitious Spider (world premiere)
Andrew Todd Poole — Foxbridge
Maurice Ravel — Ma Mère l'Oye ("Mother Goose") Suite
Leroy Anderson — The Waltzing Cat
Julius Fučík — Der Alte Brummbar ("The Old Grumbly Bear"), Op. 210
Arthur Breur — Red Wolf String Quartet (arr. Arthur Breur)
Arthur Breur — Tualatin Overture ("IV. Mastodons and Megafauna…")
What happens when a spider sets her sights on a giant bug that says "Vroom vroom" instead of "buzz buzz"? That's the question that the Tualatin Valley Symphony will answer during their annual family concert, as they debut Amber the Ambitious Spider, a narrated symphonic children's story, written by local composer Arthur Breur.
"Writing a story for children from the perspective of an animal that is often misunderstood was very fun," said Breur, who also is TVS's Composer in Residence. "It was important to share the message that nothing is impossible when you have enough determination – even if everyone around you doesn't believe you can make it happen."
The animal-themed concert is perfect for families with children of all ages, and any interested community members. Tickets are available online or at the door.
"TVS's annual family concert is a favorite of mine and the members of the orchestra," said Mark Perlman, conductor and music director of TVS since 2013. "The music is very kid-friendly, but interesting for adults as well. This program is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the whole family to the world of classical music. Many of the pieces have all of us laughing, and we're looking forward to the audience chuckling along as well. We want to show that classical music is fun."
Along with two premiere pieces by Breur, another local composer's work, Foxbridge, will be performed. Written by "composer to watch" Andrew Poole Todd (who also sits principal violin), Foxbridge is named for the legendary racing horse.
Whether listening to trotting horses, grumpy bears or waltzing cats, the audience is sure to leave the performance with a smile.
Other concerts in Tualatin Valley Symphony's 2022-2023 season are April 2, featuring a program of pieces related to birds, including Respighi's The Birds and Stravinsky Firebird Suite; and June 4 with Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Bloch's tone poem Schelomo, featuring cello soloist Jerry Bobbe.
About Tualatin Valley Symphony
Tualatin Valley Symphony is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer organization. Members are non-professional, talented musicians who volunteer their time and skills to present regularly scheduled performances for the community.
https://www.tvsymphony.org/