Warren Philharmonic strikes classical chord for local youths

By D.a. Wilkinson

Students were permitted to try their hand at playing some of the instruments.

WARREN — The economy will rise and fall, but classical music will be played forever.

Especially if the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra has its way.

And it did Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church.

The orchestra presented its “Stories and Pictures!” Family Concert.

Such concerts traditionally present classical music that helps introduce orchestra instruments to youths.

Susan Davenny Wyner is music director and conductor of the Warren Philharmonic since 1999, Opera Western Reserve since 2004 and the Boston Midsummer Opera since 2007.

She said before the performance: “We feel there are a minimum of students who know classical music. To many people, this is the first time.”

The three selections presented were “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba,” “William Tell Overture” and “Peter and the Wolf.”

The oldest piece, “Sheba,” was written by George Freidrich Handel some 250 years ago.

Gioacchino Rossini wrote “William Tell Overture” about 180 years ago. It’s better known today as the theme from “The Lone Ranger.”

“Wolf” was created in 1936.

But the orchestra used those pieces to introduce the instruments.

Davis Vosburgh, general manager at the opera, was the narrator.

In “Wolf,” he said to the audience, a flute is used to create the sound of a chirping bird, a sly cat is portrayed by the clarinet, and a duck is portrayed by an oboe.

As Vosburgh named the instrument, the musician would play.

To draw attention to the concert, the WPO contacted some 4,000 students in 46 schools in Trumbull County, including eight schools in Warren, and several other schools to take part.

Teachers were given a CD to play samples of music that was performed, and the students were asked to create on paper their reaction to the music.

Davenny Wyner looked at the submissions and picked the winners.

When asked what the kids may do when they were allowed to touch the instruments during the program, she said, “I have no idea. These instruments don’t bite.”

Barry Dunaway, the executive director for the WPO, said that its productions had been based recently at the Packard Music Hall. But before then, they had been based at the church, which he and others said has great acoustics.

The WPO had to cancel a program last year because of its tight finances. But messages from other schools in previous years on display in the lobby of the church showed that the message is reaching youths.

One boy wrote on a teacher’s evaluation he learned nothing, and it was boring. But he added, “I’d like to learn piano notes.”

A girl wrote about another program, “It blew me off my seat. It was the most best time I ever had.”

wilkinson@vindy.com