Traverse City Record-Eagle

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February 1, 2009

TSO shows off a bit of S.O.U.L.

By LISA PERKINS

TRAVERSE CITY -- The language of music was universal as S.O.U.L., Singers of United Lands, took to the stage during The Traverse Symphony Orchestra's, first of the season, Saturday Family Symphony.

Children, ages four to nine, and their families are invited to the free concert series, each featuring specific components of orchestral music.

S.O.U.L., a quartet of international professional young adult singers, represent quality vocal musicianship, geographical diversity and enthusiasm for sharing their cultures.

Children and their parents were keeping beat to the music as Subi Kim, soprano from Seoul, South Korea; Corrine Towett, alto from Nairobi, Kenya; Martins Kiscenko, baritone from Riga, Latvia; and Rory Mendez, bass from Santiago, Chile, performed favorite tunes from their homeland.

"I had a really good time. It was fun to listen and do the moves they told us to do," said 9-year-old Brooke Brown who was visiting from her home near Toledo.

While the Saturday Family Symphony series is not new, this is the first season that admission is free.

Free admission is made possible by sponsor Munson Health Care and grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Oleson Foundation, Target, Textron, the Alden and Vada Dow Foundation, and the Louise Tuller Miller Trust.

"We would just hope to make the music available to all children, we want everyone to be able to enjoy it," said Edward Downing, executive director of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.

Four-year-old Ally Jo McKenna, of Traverse City, not only enjoyed her first time at a TSO concert, she also enjoyed the musical instrument petting zoo set up for interactive musical experiences before the concert.

"We are so glad to have something here in the City Opera House for the little ones," said her mom, Amy Mummert, as her daughter tried her hand at playing violin.

The Saturday Family Symphony series will continue with the following three concerts:

-- Musica Batteria, Drums and Beyond! -- Saturday, Feb. 28

-- TSO Brass Ensemble -- Saturday, March 21

-- Jeff Haas Quartet -- Saturday, May 2

All concerts begin at 10:30 a.m. in the City Opera House. Pre-concert activities begin at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.tso-online.org or call 947-7120.

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