SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College Orchestra will present a program of music by Russian masters when during its first concert of the academic year at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, in the college’s Arthur Zankel Music Center.
The program highlight will be Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, which has helped introduce generations of children to the instruments of the orchestra and the concept of telling a story through music, fulfilling the goal Prokofiev set for himself in 1936.
Featured Skidmore student performers include Hannah Emmery (clarinet) as “the cat,” Katie Murphy (flute) as the “heroically brave bird,” Jared Herman (bassoon) as “the grandfather” and student horn players Liz Estey , Brendan Sullivan and Natalie Linton representing the “dangerous wolf.” Timpanist David Slitzky ‘14 will dramatically announce the sounds of the forest hunters.Guest narrator will be Lary Opitz, professor and chair of Skidmore Theater Department.
Other selections to be performed include Stravinsky’s Circus Polka for a Young Elephant, which was originally composed for the Ringling Brothers circus in 1942 as a ballet for elephants and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 (Movements I and II)
The Skidmore College Orchestra is a semi-professional orchestra whose members include students joining top players from several regional professional orchestras. The program emphasizes students in the most important orchestral positions and featured on solos. The combination of professional and student players creates an exciting synergy and a concert atmosphere for players and audience members alike.
Anthony G. Holland, associate professor of music directs the orchestra.
Admission for the concert is free for Skidmore students, $8 adults and $5 seniors.
For advance reservations and information visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired.
