Students in local schools were recently treated to a multidisciplinary program celebrating the wonder and beauty of the four seasons.
This live concert version of Classical IPR's "Classical Deep Dive" combined classical music, poetry, theater, art and history to create an interactive experience for student audiences.
"This tour represents a new era for Classical IPR's educational programming," said IPR's music director Amanda Sewell. "We're so excited to have such great partners to help us bring music directly to students in their schools."
Hosted by Classical IPR's Christy L'Esperance, the program was built around the music of Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," performed by professional string players from the Grand Traverse region.
In between the pieces, listeners learned the history and context of Vivaldi's life and music.
They also heard sonnets that Vivaldi wrote to accompany each of the four seasons in his piece. The sonnets were read by student actors from the Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre Department.
To localize the piece to northern Michigan, the student actors also read original poems about the four seasons written by poets of the Michigan Writers.
Students received a program and activity book that allowed them to doodle, color or write responses to the music and poetry during the performances.
"I liked it so much that I forgot I was in school," one student said afterwards.
The "Classical Deep Dive: The Four Seasons" program visited Betsie Valley Elementary, Woodland School and Traverse City West Middle School.
Host
Christy L'Esperance
Executive producer
Alexandra Herryman
Musicians
Beth Girko and Kaylee Erlewein, violins
Renee Skerik, viola
Crispin Campbell, cello
Poets
Steven Brown
Teresa Scollon
Robb Aster
Anne-Marie Oomen
Student actors
Heidi Forsythe
Rowan Kelley
Noe Scott
Adam Weeks-Barnitt
Booklet research & design
SRP Design Studio
Photography
iSee Communications
Thanks to
Rob Jones and the Benzie Youth Strings Program
Michigan Writers Board of Directors
Anne-Marie Oomen
Renee Skerik
Lisa Migazzi and the staff of Betsie Valley Elementary
Louise Moore and the staff of Woodland School
Douglas Downer and the staff of TC West Middle School
Laura Mittelstadt and the Interlochen Theater Department
Special thanks to the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation for support of this program.
Are you interested in having a Classical Deep Dive Live program visit your school? Contact IPR's operations and engagement director Alexandra Herryman at alexandra.herryman@interlochen.org for more information.
If your business would be interested in supporting Classical Deep Dive Live programs, contact IPR's corporate sponsorship manager John Roddy at john.roddy@interlochen.org