Northshore Magazine

Programs for all children, ages 2.9-15 Call 978-623-8460 www.shedinc.org facebook.com/shedkidsclub Explore with us this summer. "The orchestra is really a top-notch orchestra," Udagawa says. "One of the things that characterize our performances, without doubt, is musical excellence." Another thing that characterizes their performances is an interactive, educational focus that the young director brings. Udagawa's background in music education—he teaches conducting as a faculty member at Boston Conservatory—is evident at the concerts. "We also try to have a lot of fun. One of the things I like to do is talk to the audience," Udagawa says. He'll perhaps instruct them to listen for a certain melody or tell them the backstory of a piece of music, which makes "the music more accessible and meaningful," he says. David Stotzer, the symphony's president says, "I always learn something at a concert, and I'm not a musician." And indeed, Udagawa wants the concerts to appeal to everyone, from experienced classical music listeners to novices, musi- cians to nonmusicians. The symphony is also extending its educational efforts out into the community. "We have a very extensive educational program whereby we go to every public and private school on Cape Ann," says Peter Beacham, who's on the symphony's board of directors. He says the Youth Initiative works with the schools' music and art departments to put together a program that includes educational materials and visits and demonstrations from the musicians and conductor. The annual, two-week program for fourth and fifth graders culminates with full concerts for the children that incorporate what they've been learning. "My goal as president is to expand that as much as pos- sible," says Stotzer. "It's hugely popular and gets so many community kids involved." Udagawa says the program gets kids up close and personal with the musicians and their instruments, and "for young people that can be a very transformative experience. "I think that it's just critical for giving young people the opportunity to hear instruments and to see that kind of thing close up," he says. "Like anything else in education, it's about exposing them and giving young people an opportunity to explore their imagination." The Cape Ann Symphony also exposes its adult audiences to new and different experiences. It prides itself on bringing to its concerts world-renowned soloists, such as Tessa Lark, who is performing a violin concerto at the May 2014 concert; new music that the symphony has commissioned, such as the March 2014 concert's world premiere piano concerto by Charles Floyd; and even child prodigies, such as Kadar Qian. "We try new things. We're trying to innovate and that's how we keep doing a little bit better every year," says Stotzer. "We're trying to break out of the normal way of thinking and attract more young people." capeannsymphony.org ● n 120 Music ne KJ NS Apr14 Symphony.indd 120 2/21/14 12:17 PM

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