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Central Iowa Symphony Promises Rare Treat

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AMES, Iowa – Central Iowa Symphony’s Leap Year concert on February 29 promises a rare treat with a tribute to several American classics and solo performances by two of Iowa’s most talented young musicians.

This year the community-based orchestra has combined its annual Family and Young Artists Concerts into a single program of family-friendly fare. Parents and children are encouraged to attend the concert, which begins at 3 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium. A special Concert Conversations for Families, a discussion of the program with guest conductor Matt Smith, will begin at 2:15 in the Council Chambers.

The highlight of the afternoon will be a showing of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film “The Immigrant.” True to when it opened to audiences more than 90 years ago, this classic will have a live orchestra to help tell the story.

As with other Chaplin works, “The Immigrant” is a blend of social comment, sentiment and comedy. It depicts Charlie Chaplin in his world-famous clown role of The Tramp coming to America on a steamer crowded with other immigrants. Audiences will have fun watching Chaplin maneuver the ship’s rolling deck and eat soup.

Another highlight will be music from one of America’s most beloved composers, Aaron Copland. Commissioned in 1942 for a patriotic program as America entered World War II, “Fanfare for the Common Man” heralds everyday heroes. With stirring brass and percussion, the fanfare is widely performed and is one of Copland’s signature compositions.

Young audiences are certain to recognize “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” best known in Walt Disney’s animated film “Fantasia.” Older than Mickey Mouse, the piece was composed in 1887 by Parisian Paul Dukas. Based on a ballad by Goethe, the piece tells the story of a young magician’s apprentice who tries to lighten his work by experimenting with magic spells he has seen his master use.

Also featured will be concerto performances by Hangyul Kim, 17, of Ames and Melanie Williams, 14, of Newhall. Kim will perform the first movement of Jean Silbelius’ Violin Concerto in D Major. Williams will perform the first movement of Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 2 in D Major.

Both earned top honors in the symphony’s recent Young Artists Auditions on the Iowa State University campus.

Kim, a senior at Ames High School, has been featured by the Des Moines Symphony, Fort Dodge Area Symphony and in 2001 by the Central Iowa Symphony. She is a three-year member of the Iowa All-State Orchestra and 2003 concertmaster. Last summer she received a full scholarship to attend the summer music academy at Interlochen, Michigan.

Williams, an eighth grader at Benton Community School, has twice performed as soloist at the Colorado Suzuki Institute and was recently chosen to perform at the annual conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She also enjoys giving recitals with her family and performs for residents at a local nursing care center.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (ages 65 and older) and $5 for students. They may be purchased in advance at Big Table Books and Rieman Music in Ames, or at the door. To place credit card orders, call Ames City Auditorium at (515) 239-5360.

Check the Central Iowa Symphony web site, www.cisymphony.org, for educational materials for children that can be used by teachers and parents.

The Family/Young Artists concert is supported by a grant from U.S. Cellular and a mini-grant from the City of Ames Commission on the Arts.
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