Before stepping into the concert hall, students were greeted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff, getting a hands-on look at real animal skulls and pelts to learn about local wildlife before the show!
Joye Levy, Director of the Center for Future Audiences, welcomes the eager crowd and sets the stage for an exciting morning with The Carnival of the Animals.
Preparing for the first note! Associate Conductor Thomas Wilson leads the hall in a fun exercise to catch total silence before the music starts.
Students watch spellbound as live orchestral music, expressive dance, and playful shadow puppetry bring The Carnival of the Animals to life.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers Sarah Watson (left) and Deme Wright (right) emceed the concert, bringing humor, heart, and fascinating facts about Colorado's native wildlife to our young audience.
ROAR! Michael Yopp shows off the playful side of the French horn as he imitates a roaring lion during The Carnival of the Animals.
Dancers from Ormao Dance Company entertain young listeners with a captivating performance during Saint-Saëns' "The Royal March of the Lion."
Milo Heffernan, a 7th grader at Challenger Middle School, served as our student movement helper—demonstrating all the fun actions and seat movements for the audience to follow along!
Fish faces! Can you make the face of a largemouth bass? Students weren't just watching—they were actively participating throughout The Carnival of the Animals, pretending to fish, roaring with the lions, and conducting right from their seats!
Associate Conductor Thomas Wilson leads the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, delighting young listeners with selections from Saint-Saëns' The Carnival of the Animals, Scott Joplin's Frolic of the Bears, Vivaldi's Spring, and Gershwin's "Walking the Dog."
Kangaroos in Colorado? Only with Ormao Dance Company! The dancer had the audience bouncing in their seats and "aww-ing" at the adorable baby joey on stage.
Karl Heffernan, Program Coordinator for the Center for Future Audiences, steps in as a movement helper—pictured here channeling his inner kangaroo rat!
Hee-haw! Dancers from Ormao Dance Company kick up their heels and point their long ears to model Saint-Saëns' Persons with Long Ears, getting the whole hall flapping their ears and laughing along!
Entranced by the music! Young audience members conduct along from their seats, waving their arms in rhythm as the Colorado Springs Philharmonic fills the hall.
Matthew Diekman (Viola) steps up to assist Associate Conductor Thomas Wilson, demonstrating a 4-pattern conducting motion so the whole hall can conduct along with the orchestra!
A moment of pure inspiration! Young audience members were treated to a special performance as violinist Amos Song from the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony joined the Colorado Springs Philharmonic for Vivaldi's "Spring."
Sergei Vassiliev, Principal Clarinet, takes center stage during "Walking the Dog" while students watch in delight as a slideshow of their own pets lights up the big screen!
Puppetry, dance, and orchestral music combined for an unforgettable morning! Katy Williams' shadow puppets, Ormao Dance Company's dancers, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic brought endless smiles to thousands of young faces.
