She has heard it time and time again: an introduction to the symphony at a young age is what keeps patrons returning for years to come.
And, according to Okanagan Symphony Orchestra music director Rosemary Thomson, there91裸聊视频檚 no better way to introduce children to classical music than through J.K. Rowling91裸聊视频檚 acclaimed series Harry Potter. To that end, the OSO presents The Music of Harry Potter in Vernon Oct. 26, Penticton Oct. 27 and Kelowna Oct. 28.
91裸聊视频淔or so many people, I91裸聊视频檝e heard they were brought to the symphony by a special adult in their life,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just a perfect introduction to this whole new world.91裸聊视频�
Scored by John Williams, Harry Potter and the Philosopher91裸聊视频檚 Stone hit the silver screen in 2001 based on Rowling91裸聊视频檚 1997 novel of the same name. In its opening weekend, the film earned an estimated $93.5 million. Today, the series91裸聊视频� eight films and spin-off prequel flick Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them have generated more than $8.5 billion worldwide. Of those eight films, Williams left his mark on the first three 91裸聊视频� Philosopher91裸聊视频檚 Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prizoner of Azkaban 91裸聊视频� and received Grammy and Oscar nominations for his work.
91裸聊视频淢ost of it (our performance) is from the first movie. I love Harry Potter, the books, the movies and most of all the music,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淛ohn Williams91裸聊视频� score brings all of the characters to life in the most magical way. I can91裸聊视频檛 wait for this show.91裸聊视频�
To help bring the production to life, Vernon actress Nina Ogasawara will don the garb and demeanour of the series91裸聊视频� heroine Hermione Granger while Dominik Weaver will wear the circular spectacles and lightning bolt scar of the story91裸聊视频檚 favourite young wizard and titular character.
Fans of the movies will recognize many songs from the soundtrack, Thomson said. Her favourite, however, is Hedwig91裸聊视频檚 Flight.
91裸聊视频淗e does such a great job at simulating flight through this piece,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淗e really pushed the orchestra to play at their best.91裸聊视频�
Other iconic pieces include the light and sparkly sounds of Diagon Alley, the woodwind sounds of Quidditch and Fluffy the three-headed dog91裸聊视频檚 piece featuring the contrabassoon 91裸聊视频� a large woodwind instrument that coils around itself and boasts the title of the orchestra91裸聊视频檚 lowest instrument.
In addition to entertaining the kids through familiar tones, Thomson said the performance also acts as a way to introduce children to the different sections and sounds of the orchestra through section solos. And, once that love of the symphony is born and a child91裸聊视频檚 involvement in music takes root, Thomson said the performance evolves into something beyond mere entertainment.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 like taking a kid who plays peewee hockey to the NHL,91裸聊视频� Thomson said. 91裸聊视频淚t inspires them to keep going.91裸聊视频�
Unlike the OSO91裸聊视频檚 primary ChaseWines Masterworks programming, The Music of Harry Potter falls under the annual family special umbrella, which saw Sergei Prokofiev91裸聊视频檚 Peter and the Wolf take Okanagan stages last year. That performance also marked the introduction of the family special to Vernon audiences.
91裸聊视频淣ot every concert we do is entertaining, but this one definitely is,91裸聊视频� Thomson said, noting that some OSO performances could be considered more thought-provoking or demonstrative than for the sheer purpose of entertainment.
91裸聊视频淚 just love this concert. It evokes memories of seeing the movies. It91裸聊视频檚 just beautiful. It91裸聊视频檚 really strong music. It will excite everyone who is young and young at heart.91裸聊视频�
The Music of Harry Potter is at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre at 7 p.m. Oct. 26, Penticton91裸聊视频檚 Cleland Community Theatre at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 and the Kelowna Community Theatre at 2 p.m. Oct. 28. Special ticket pricing is in effect for these family performances. Tickets are $20.50 for adults, $17 for seniors and $12.50 for students and are available through . As the performance precedes Halloween, audience costumes 91裸聊视频� Harry Potter related or otherwise 91裸聊视频� are encouraged.
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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