Baroque Trio to open annual Children’s Concerts Series

The Children’s Concert Series will open the 12th season of Musical Journeys, a community outreach project of the School of Music, with half-hour performances by the Fredonia Baroque Trio.

Concerts, which are designed for very young children and free and open to the public, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m., at Lakewood Memorial Library, 12 W. Summit St., in Lakewood and at 1:30 p.m. in Darwin R. Barker Library, 7 Day St., Fredonia.

Planned with the help of Fredonia faculty who are experts in music and education, Musical Journeys concerts are designed to introduce very young audiences (from infants through age 6) to musical instruments. In this child-friendly environment, performers will invite the children to sit on the floor close to the musicians. Family members are encouraged to bring blankets or carpet squares to sit on. Strollers can be parked around the edges of the seating area.

"It's wonderful to see the musical relationship between the children and the college student performers develop as the concert progresses. The musicians are sharing music they love, and the children certainly respond to that," said Sarah Hamilton, associate professor of oboe and co-organizer.

The musicians are: Mateo Mendez, oboe (Silver Creek); Evan Kirshen, trumpet (East Northport) and Theresa Thordarson, piano (Winnipeg, Canada).

"The children's concerts are enjoyable, child-appropriate opportunities for very young children to interact with music and musicians. For the young audience and the performers, music becomes a playmate to join in a thrilling adventure," said Jill Reese, associate professor of music and co-organizer. "During these events, learning and teaching among the children and the student musicians is mutual: children learn about music through moving, listening and creating, and our student musicians learn to engage young imaginations and ignite new musical passions!"

More information is available online or call 716-673-4628.