Canton Symphony Announces Bilingual Component

While music is often described as the international language, spoken languages are our major means of communication. The Canton Symphony Orchestra will use music to familiarize children to English and Spanish vocabulary through the SymphonyLand trio series. The trios introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra in an interactive format based on a children's storybook and created specifically to engage young listeners. The series begins with the string trio on Wednesday January 11 and Saturday January 14 at 10am and 11am each day in Foundation Hall of the Zimmermann Symphony Center (2331 17th Street NW, Canton). The woodwind trio follows on February 8 and 11 and the brass trio on March 8 and 11. The series culminates with the full orchestra Kinder Concert in May.

The SymphonyLand trios and Kinder Concert will present four bilingual (Spanish/English) books as the source of the storytelling and programs. All four are publications of Barefoot Books, written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Debbie Harter, and feature the child-friendly character, Bear. The books will be read in English during the performances with additional Spanish vocabulary to coincide with the story. The String Trio program in January is Bear at Home (Oso en Casa); Woodwind Trio in February is Bear In Sunshine (Oso bajo el sol); Brass Trio in March is Bear in a Square (Oso en un cuadrado); the Kinder Concert is Bear on a Bike (Oso en un Bicicleta).

All of the SymphonyLand and Kinder Concert programs are open to the public as well as school groups. Admission is free due to support provided by Arts in Stark Smarts Grant, The Peter and Judith Shurman Charitable Fund at the Stark Community Foundation and The Hoover Foundation. Reservations for groups of 10 or more are required and can be made online at www.cantonsymphony.org or by calling the Canton Symphony box office at 330-452-2094 weekdays 9am - 5pm. Reservations for smaller groups are recommended in order to ensure adequate seating.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate, and entertain residents of Stark County and beyond. The orchestra performs classical, holiday, and a variety of educational programs in Umstattd Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, as well as other venues in Stark County. For more information, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org or call (330)452-2094. Administrative offices are located at the Zimmermann Symphony Center, 2331 17th Street NW, Canton, OH 44708.

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