FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2008
Media contact: Nancy Reid 506-458-7836


Jazzy Kids, Classy Kids, Tunes & ‘Toons: Summer Music Festival hosts free family talks and performances

The New Brunswick Summer Music Festival in Fredericton, now in its fifteenth year, is known for its two-week offerings of classical music performances, but this year, organizers are expanding their program to include more family and youth oriented activities.

The Festival is hosting a three-part series of informal talks and live performances aimed at exposing kids to music. With the financial support of the City of Fredericton’s Arts Culture and Heritage program and the Fredericton Community Foundation, organizers are able to offer the workshops for free.

Called Jazzy Kids, Classy Kids, Tunes & ‘Toons, the workshops will be held over a three-day period, August 11, 14 and 18th, at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre..

“Even though our focus has always been classical chamber music, we launched a workshop program last year with a focus on the history and construction of jazz,” said Festival coordinator Nancy Reid.  “We had such a great response, especially from children and youth, we knew immediately that we wanted to offer an expanded program again this year.  Our goal with these free events is to create a family-friendly and fun atmosphere that gently educates kids about music and hopefully encourages them to explore our other more formal Festival concerts.”

“This year we are going to explore some of the lighter aspects of jazz, brass and film,” Reid said.  “We have a dynamic music educator who absolutely held our audience spell bound at last year’s jazz talks.  Nationally known jazz saxophonist Scott Marshall will join us again to lead the first workshop.  Kids seem to immediately ‘get’ jazz when Scott is explaining and demonstrating it,” she added.

Know as the Team Canada of Trombones, the brass quintet I Tromboni will present a noon hour performance on Fanfares and Flourishes for the second event in the series.  “I Tromboni is about the most fun you can have with a trombone,” said Reid.  “Expect to hear everything from Ravel to the theme song from the Simpsons; Copeland to Star Wars in a riotous show the kids will love.”

The final workshop looks at the role of music in film and in animation or cartoons and will feature the work of prolific Canadian film composer, Lou Applebaum.  Applebaum did a large body of work for the National Film Board and some of those films and animations will be featured.  This talk will be led by musician and educator Richard Hornsby.

The three events in this series are free and open to all ages.

For more information on the Jazzy Kids, Classy Kids, Tunes & ‘Toons talks and shows or the Summer Music Festival program, contact the Festival office at 458-7836.

The Summer Music Festival’s Main Series tickets and schedule information can be found on-line at http://cel.unb.ca/music/summerfestival

-   30  -

PRINT media:  publication quality photos available (colour, b & w, jpegs)
BROADCAST media:  music selections available
ALL media:  artist interviews arranged


SCHEDULE
Jazzy Kids, Classy Kids, Tunes & ‘Toons - August 11, 14, 18.
– a set of three free family talks and performances at the Charlotte St. Arts Centre in a relaxed and informal setting. Jazzy Kids, Classy Kids, Tunes & ‘Toons: Talks & Concerts for Families. These events are free but donations are always welcome.
Jazzy Kids - Aug. 11, 11am - 1:00pm:  Simple enough for older children and engaging enough for even the ardent jazz fan, Scott Marshall’s workshop combines live performance with classic recordings and diagrams to explain the wonderful world of jazz.
Classy Kids - Aug. 14 - noon: Maybe we should call this “Brassy Kids, as I Tromboni presents “Fanfares & Flourishes. Brass instruments are renowned for their ability to begin any event with a flourish!  This I Tromboni program will be an upbeat and up-close look at the idea of fanfares and all ages are welcome to come and enjoy the show.
Tunes & ‘Toons - Aug 18 - 11am - 1pm:  Tunes and ‘Toons: Spend a few hours with musician and educator Richard Hornsby watching and listening to the work of Lou Applebaum, one of Canada’s most prolific film composers.  We’ll look at film shorts and excerpts of documentaries as we learn how music is used to enhance the film genre.