February 5, 2003
Sticks, Skins 'n Symbols reverberates with excitement
Saturday Family Symphony features instruments ranging from pots and jars to garbage cans and kettle drums
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
With booms, crashes, pings and other reverberations, the Saturday Family Symphony captivated its young listeners.
Held in the Milliken Auditorium, the Sticks, Skins 'n Symbols program was enthusiastically received by more than 220 parents and their children, ages 3-8. Four members of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra's percussion session demonstrated instruments ranging from pots, jars and garbage cans to drums and bells of all size, shape and sound.
A petting zoo of percussion instruments allowed children to make some noise of their own both before and after the program.
The music-loving Kilinski family of Traverse City said the Saturday programs are a perfect fit for their family. With their son, Gregory, 6, already showing an interest and talent in music, they have attended them whenever possible this year.
"He and I kind of fiddle around with the guitar and he has a electronic keyboard," said Denise Kilinski, who attended the event with son Gregory, husband, Bruce, and daughter, Dana, 3. "Gregory has a very good sense of beat and rhythm."
Kilinski points to studies showing that early exposure to music helps children's brains develop, motivating her to bring music into her children's lives at a young age.
"Having musical instruments around the house is very important, they say it actually helps with synapses and development," she noted.
As for the performers, they enjoyed the chance to create a program quite different from their usual fare. They demonstrated everything from synchronized body percussion, garbage can drumming and marches, bringing children up on stage to participate. They led the audience through clapping games to help them learn rhythm and timing.
The four professional percussionists also used sounds ranging from a kettle drum to a bird call to a pop can in a plastic bag to help tell the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
"It is fun being with the kids and entertaining them," said Guy Leslie, a section percussionist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. "It is a great experience for them, just to see the kind of sounds that you can create."
Attendees also enjoyed the antics of the TSO's new mascot Sleeping Bear. The mascot is the brainchild of symphony general manager Susan Schnerer, who also dons the bear costume during the Saturday events.
"We created it to show the kids how to appropriately respond to a concert," said Schnerer. "I've heard from parents who say when they tell their children they're going to this program, the kids say, 'Bear, bear, bear.' So there's an association there, which is what we hoped to achieve. Plus the kids adore the bear."
Sleeping Bear is just one facet of the Saturday Family Symphony's success this year, which saw its average attendance at events jump from 80 last season to 240 this time. Schnerer attributes this to not only better marketing but also an integrated program that culminates with a program featuring the full symphony.
Series passes, another new idea this year, also encouraged steady attendance. Previous programs this season featured each group of instruments, which in addition to percussion included strings, reeds, pipes and horns and brass and bells.
The culmination of the Saturday Family Symphony series will be held on Saturday, March 8, when Kevin Rhodes conducts the full orchestra. The concert will feature solos by junior division winners of the TSO's young artist competition, harpist Marielle Smith, and pianist Austin Lo. Two seatings are available, one at 11 a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, call the TSO office at 947-7120.