Youth Concert Series Fuses Music and Geography

The Macomb Symphony Orchestra will be staging two performances today for area elementary schools. Of the 34 schools attending, 25 are from Macomb.

The concerts are intended for grades 3-6, often making the performances the children's first experience at an orchestra concert. The 50 minute-long concerts will provide children the unique opportunity to be both educated and entertained by a professional orchestra.

The concert program includes nine compositions and a series of instrument introductions and demonstrations.

The theme is "Musical Geography." In addition to the orchestra experience, children will be exposed to a selection of music that highlights different countries and their composers' contributions to music. The national anthem, The Liberty Bell March, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame were chosen to represent the U.S.

Other countries represented include the Czech Republic, Sweden and Brazil.

Michele Demski is a representative for the Macomb Symphony Orchestra. She said the annual Youth Concerts are beneficial to the children and the orchestra. The children are exposed to a great legacy of concert music while the orchestra is given the chance to give something back to the community in a positive way.

Performances of the Youth Concerts series are held at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are sold out.

The Youth Concert series is in its 17th year.