Making Outreach a Family Affair

Jennifer Mitchell always enjoys playing her violin for young students, but she had EXTRA FUN in Iowa earlier this year when she performed for her Grandson Will’s preschool classes.

With the help of Jennifer’s son Aaron, the kids got to hold an old violin, run their fingers through bow hair, sing, dance, and even conduct as she played lots of familiar tunes for them. More budding musicians in the making!

 

The kids still talk about you coming in and playing for them.  You made an impact for sure!  Kids have pretended to be you by turning the blocks into a violin.  Just wanted to share that with you! Thank you again for coming in. – Jill Larsen, Crayons 2 Pencils Early Learning Center

 

See Jennifer in action here on the Crayons 2 Pencils Facebook page.

KCCO Welcomes Board Member Mark Barone

We’re pleased to welcome Mr. Mark Barone as a member of KCCO’s Board of Directors. Mark was born and raised in the inner city of the Bronx and was the youngest of six children. Growing up, he was never exposed to orchestral music; he had to listen to the music other people wanted to hear. In addition, he says, they did not have good music programs in the New York Public Schools. Therefore, when he learned about the KCCO Instrument Petting Zoo, where children who are otherwise not exposed to classical instruments get the hands-on opportunity to touch and play them, he was extremely impressed.
Mark attended his first KCCO concert three years ago, in 2014. Even though he had lived in Kansas City since 2001, he “never knew such a gem existed.” Mark says he was amazed by the sound, quality, and professionalism of KCCO’s performances.

Mark has always been active in serving his community, and when he moved to Kansas City in 2001 he had the opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Christian Family Services (CFS), a licensed Christian Counseling and Adoptions Agency, for 12 years. CFS provided both international and domestic adoption services, licensed marriage and family counseling, as well as counseling for abused and neglected children.

In 2013, after his children finished high school, Mark took a position with Edward Jones Investments as a Financial Advisor. Now, he says, he gets to continue serving families by helping them face the challenges of retirement and planning for their future. He continues to support CFS, but was also eager to help support and increase the impact KCCO has on children and families through its various programs. Mark says he appreciates the opportunity to serve on the Board. “KCCO is truly making a difference in the lives of everyone involved, and has been for over 59 years.”

300 Years of Great Music

Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Atonement Lutheran Church

Pre-Concert Talk, 6:45pm

This concert will feature a performance by the winner of our Young Artist Concerto Competition, Alice Guo!

Atonement Lutheran Church

  • Overture to La Gazza Ladra – Gioachino Rossini (First Performed in 1817)
  • Water Music – George Frideric Handel, arr. Harty (First Performed in 1717)
  • Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major – F. J. Haydn (featuring our Young Artist Concerto Competition winner!)
  • Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60, B. – Dvořák

Educational Outreach

Our experience with the KCCO was beyond amazing! Jennifer and Don did such a great job with our students. It was very enjoyable for all. – Lisa B., Shawnee Mission Instructional Support Center

 

The educational outreach programs of The Kansas City Civic Orchestra seek to cultivate an appreciation for the experience of live instrumental and orchestral music, and to provide support for music education to community members of all age levels throughout the Greater Kansas City area.

The orchestra’s educational outreach activities currently include:

  • Pre-concert instrument petting zoos, supervised opportunities for children to hold and experience playing real orchestral instruments.
  • In-school, interactive, participatory performances and demonstrations for elementary students, involving stringed and other instruments.IMG_4520
  • “Master classes” held for school-aged children studying particular classical instruments, provided by soloists using those instruments to perform during concerts with the Civic Orchestra.
  • Musical entertainment events for nursing homes and similar care centers in the area.
  • “Youth Concerts” included among the Civic’s regular season programming, featuring compositions familiar to children of school age, e.g., themes from popular adventure and science-fiction films.
  • Soloist competitions offering students in local elementary and secondary schools a chance to perform with the Civic Orchestra.

 

For more information about the Civic Orchestra’s educational outreach activities, please contact us at edoutreach@kccivic.org.

 

What a joy to know you shared your time and talents with our Grandma. We know your happiness and enthusiasm for music. It is wonderful to know you where there. Thank you so much for your service to the community.  – The Rorie Family