On Feb. 20, Cascade Symphony and Music Director Michael Miropolsky will continue the orchestra’s 48th season with their annual children’s concert, entitled “Paddington Bear’s First Concert.”
In addition to Herbert Chappell’s “Paddington,” narrated by Dave Dolacky, the concert will feature 11-year-old Gene Pak, in the 3rd movement of the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major.
Another opportunity for children will be the presence of KING-FM host Sean MacLean and the KING-FM “Instrument Petting Zoo.” For 30 minutes before and after the concert, children may sample a variety of instruments. They may also enter a drawing for three free music lessons on the instrument of their choice, provided as a contribution by Cascade Symphony members. Excerpts of the music to be performed, as well as brief program notes, are also available on the symphony’s website, www.cascadesymphony.org.
In “Paddington Bear’s First Concert,” Paddington, the lovable bear from Peru, recalls his journey from Lima to live with the Browns near Portobello Road. Here, he becomes a popular figure amongst the traders and a special friend of the wise Mr. Gruber, the owner of an antique shop. Mr. Gruber teaches Paddington a Hungarian Dance and introduces him to the delights of music with an action-packed visit to a concert in the Royal Albert Hall and a performance of Paddington’s own song.
Soloist Gene Pak began playing the piano at the age of five and has studied with Jiyeon Kim and Victoria Bogodashevskaya. He has been a winner of the Eastside Scholarship Competition and the Competition for the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside. In 2006 he performed in the Grieg Festival. He enjoys sharing his music with others and his favorite composer is Franz Liszt.
The season will continue with “A Russian Evening” on March 29, and “Brahms First” on May 17. In addition, the orchestra will present small ensemble performances on April 11 and April 16. All concerts take place at the Edmonds Center for the Arts with the exception of the ensemble concerts, which are presented at the Edmonds United Methodist Church and the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church.
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