Orchestra workshops for children at SPAC

Workshop and Family Night Activities Followed by Pops Concert of Hollywood Classics and Disney Hits Contact: Shane Williams-Ness, 518-584-9330x116, shane@spac.org; Lisa Hill, 518-584-9330x119, lhill@spac.org Saratoga Springs, NY (August 6, 2009) The Philadelphia Orchestra and Saratoga Performing Arts Center will debut a new pre-performance workshop for children on Friday, August 7 at SPAC as part of the evenings Family Night activities. The 30-minute workshops, which will be held at 7:15 PM on August 7 and 14, will be presented by Philadelphia Orchestra cellist and educator Bob Cafaro. Workshops will be held on the walkway between the lawn and the Amphitheatre. The presentations will include interesting discussions about classical music, composers, learning to play an instrument and more. Each presentation will also include musical demonstrations and a question and answer period. Bob Cafaro is in his 24th Season with The Philadelphia Orchestra and has taught cello at several colleges including the University of Virginia, the Philadelphia College of Bible, the College of New Jersey, the Hartwick Summer Music Festival in Oneonta (N.Y.), Strings International, and the Summer Strings Seminar in Rhinebeck (N.Y.). "Education is a key part of SPAC's mission, which is why we are so grateful to Bob Cafaro and the Orchestra for making this innovative workshop available. These fun, interactive programs are designed to help get children excited about music and spark an interest in the arts that will benefit them throughout their live" said Marcia J. White, SPAC's President and Executive Director. Pre-performance workshops for children were first introduced at SPAC this season during the New York City Ballet residency. The workshops are presented as part of SPAC's Family Night activities, which include free Stewart's ice cream, magic shows, chalk contests, face painting and costumed characters. Family Night activities and the workshops are free for ticketholders to that evening's performance. "More and more families with children are discovering that Family Nights at SPAC offer fun, quality and value all in one package. The pops program of Hollywood and Disney hits Jeff Tyzik will lead on Friday is the perfect introduction to The Orchestra for young people and newcomers," she added. Jeff Tyzik, Pops Conductor for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic, will lead a program of music from Hollywood classics, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Casablanca as well as music from Disney hits including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and more. Tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra start at $18 for lawn seating; inside seats range from $31 - $72.50. Children 12 and under are entitled to free lawn admission under SPAC's Free Children on the Lawn Program. Students in middle school, high school and college are entitled to purchase $10 lawn seats or 25% discounted amphitheatre seating. More information is available at www.spac.org