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Contact:
Public Relations Director
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Phone: 407/896-6700 x 223
Fax: 407/896-5512
gmiller@orlandophil.org
www.orlandophil.org |
(Orlando, FL – September 20, 2007) - The Orlando Philharmonic is pleased to announce its participation in the educational program, Connect With Music, on Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 AM in the Philharmonic’s rehearsal room, located in the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins Street, Suite 300, Orlando. The program is approximately 40 minutes in length.
Initiated in 2001, Connect With Music is a model for linking generations through music and to music. The program is created and directed by Dr. Mary Palmer, UCF Professor of Music Education as an intergenerational music program for babies from birth to 24 months and their special adults. In six week sessions of forty minutes each, babies explore sounds and sound sources through playing instruments, experience listening to music through movement, begin to match musical pitches through singing and express nursery rhymes in new and exciting ways. The program is designed to increase the child’s attentiveness, stimulate the brain and form new neurological pathways and develop interest in a broad variety of musical styles. This season, the Connect With Music program kicks-off with the Philharmonic on October 4, and continues with a variety of weekly programs until November 8. For details on the subsequent programs, visit www.marypalmer.org.
In describing the program Dr. Palmer says, “Connect with Music is all about connecting. Through music, babies and their adults bond with each other and with music. Recent studies have shown that interacting with music actually builds brain cells! Interacting with the music -- getting inside the music -- is the key. In Connect with Music, music is an active experience. Babies and their adults move, play instruments, sing... and have lots of fun together in music. The class is a joyful time!”
“We are excited about our partnership with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra,” she continues. “Seeing and hearing the musicians perform ‘up close and personal’ is an amazing experience for the babies... and many of their adults, too! The Orchestra has so many wonderful music programs for families ... Connect with Music will help build a comfort zone for parents to engage their babies in the musical opportunities that are available in our community.”
Orlando Philharmonic Principal Timpanist Carl Rendek leads the Philharmonic’s portion of the Connect With Music program on October 4. Rendek, who has been performing and teaching for over 25 years, presents a program in which the children can listen and play rhythm instruments, giving them an in-depth exposure to rhythm. Participants will also enjoy movement activities and rhythm exercises. “It is a very interactive experience between the children and the parents,” he says. “Since the children are as young as one year, they are hearing some of these percussion sounds for the first time. They are fascinated by the sounds. They are also afforded the opportunity to hit the drum with a drumstick themselves, play the conga with their hands, and march to a snare drum. The idea is all about what rhythm does to our bodies and our brain.”
The Philharmonic hopes to continue working with Dr. Palmer and the Connect With Music program for years to come. “This unique program provides a wonderful opportunity for the Philharmonic to introduce participants to live music spanning a broad range of genres and instruments,” says Sally Carter, Education Manager of the Orlando Philharmonic. “As a music educator, I firmly believe that music is the foundation for enhancing brain development in children. The benefits of early exposure to music are greater during early childhood because neurological development takes place at such a rapid pace. We look forward to working with Dr. Palmer and combining efforts to increase growth and expansion of the program into the Central Florida community.”
For further information on the Connect with Music program, visit www.marypalmer.org, or phone 407-896-6700 x 237.
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