Launceston: ‘Symphonic Superstars: The Mighty Handful’

TSO to perform education concert in Launceston this Friday, November 3

The TSO will perform an education concert, ‘Symphonic Superstars: The Mighty Handful’, at Launceston’s Princess Theatre, 11.30am this Friday, November 3. Conducted by Luke Spicer, an alumnus of the International Conductor Program, and presented by ABC Classic FM’s Christopher Lawrence, the engaging and entertaining concert explores how a group of Russian composers, known as ‘The Mighty Handful’, changed the course of Western classical music by developing a national style based on incorporating the themes and harmonies of Russian folk songs.

Works by Balakirev, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and Johann Strauss Jr will be featured and students will have the opportunity to sing two Russian folk songs with the TSO, In the Garden and Along the Peterskay. Accompaniments for the songs have been orchestrated by graduates of the TSO Australian Composers’ School.

Seven schools from across Northern Tasmanian will attend, along with members of the Burnie Stringalong program, a community initiative to encourage students from grades 4 to 12 to learn string instruments and ensemble skills. Over 20 Department of Education music teachers from North and Northwest Tasmania will attend the concert as part of a Professional Learning Day, facilitated by the TSO at Mowbray Heights Primary School.

The concert, the first TSO education concert in Launceston since 2009, is made possible through the TSO’s long-term partnership with Bell Bay Aluminium, who is enabling 200 primary school students from the Tamar Valley region to attend the concert. Bell Bay Aluminium also sponsors primary school teaching resources for the concert, which have been designed by Northern specialist music teachers and are available for free download on the TSO website.

The concert is open for families to attend and suitable for children from Grade 3 age, accompanied by an adult.

Bookings available until 12 noon, Thursday November 2, by calling the TSO Box Office on 1800 001 190. (Please note tickets not available on the door).

www.tso.com.au
‘Symphonic Superstars: The Mighty Handful’

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Luke Spicer conductor

Friday 3 November, 11.30am –m 12.30am
Princess Theatre, Launceston

Bookings: 1800 001 190
Tickets: $7.00
Samuel Cairnduff, Director Marketing and Communications, TSO