The RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School Launch New Kids Club

As part of its mission to expand and enrich the arts across the region, the RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School has developed a new Kids Club to encourage children in grades 3-6 to get to know their "hometown" orchestra with exclusive and heavily discounted tickets for Kids Club members and their families to attend FridayAmica Rush Hour concerts. Rush Hour concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and run about 75 minutes with no intermission, and involve fun and interactive elements for the audience. Membership in the Kids Club includes conversations with conductors, musicians and special guests as well as backstage tours, games and activities, and other exclusive events -- all for less than the price of movie tickets -- making the new Kids Club irresistible.

With Kids Club, the Rhode Island Philharmonic seeks to share the power of music and build personal, lasting relationships with young people during an essential time - the elementary school years. The heady experience of a live orchestra concert, in a packed hall, plus the chance to make personal connections with conductors, musicians and other Kids Club members is a winning combination. A family of four can attend three concerts for just $87. The three concerts are November 14, April 10 and May 8, featuring popular fare such as The Four Seasons, Bolero and Carmina Burana. Kids Club memberships are on sale now attickets.riphil.org, by phone at 401.248.7000, and in person at the RIPHIL box office, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence.

FRANCISCO NOYA, resident conductor, said: "Thousands of third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders have a great time playing along with the orchestra in our FLEX with the Phil concerts, which take place every April at VETS. Many families already enjoy our Rush Hour concerts on Friday evenings, but our new Kids Club adds even more fun - backstage tours, treats, and a members-only Q-and-A with me! Parents can count themselves lucky to come along."

The Kids Club gives children in grades 3-6 the chance to experience the excitement of a live orchestra through concerts, engaging and inspiring activities and community service programs. Membership includes:

· three Amica Rush Hour concerts: November 14, April 10, May 8

· special seating with Kids Club members

· Kids Club badge allowing exclusive access

· post-concert activities with special guests, orchestra musicians and conductors

· backstage tour and other behind-the-scenes experiences

· other exclusive events including concerts and community service projects

When a child joins Kids Club, his/her whole family is eligible for the discount at introductory ticket price including facility fees:

• Family of two $53

• Family of four $87

• Additional child $17

• Additional adult $27

Kids Club members have access to online games and learning resources developed by Carnegie Hall and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids Club, such as a "Time Machine," "Beethoven's Baseball," "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," an "Interactive Guide to African-American Music," and more.

The Philharmonic's Season 70 offers symphonies by Beethoven, Prokofiev and Sibelius; concerti by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Saint-Sa?ns and Tchaikovsky; and popular favorites Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Ravel's Boléro and Orff's Carmina Burana. Twentieth-century highlights include works by Adams, Orff, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Sibelius, Strauss, Stravinsky, and Weill. The season's final concert features the world premiere of a commissioned work by the New England native composer Pierre Jalbert in honor of the Orchestra's 70th Anniversary. Several well-known guest artists will perform with the orchestra, including returning violinists Augustin Hadelich and Jennifer Koh, cellist Alban Gerhardt, mezzo-soprano Susan Lorette Dunn, and pianists Ilya Yakushev and Joyce Yang. Pianist Jon Nakamatsu will be making his debut with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.The Providence Singers, Christine Noel, artistic director, will share two performances with the Philharmonic: Handel's Messiah in December (conducted by former Providence Singers Artistic Director Andrew Clark) and Carmina Burana in May, which also features the Rhode Island Children's Chorus (also directed by Ms. Noel). And capping off this anniversary season, world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell appears with the Philharmonic in a Gala Celebration of Season 70! on Friday March 6 at The Vets.

The Philharmonic's season features eight Classical concerts on Saturday nights at The Vets. Four are preceded by Amica Rush Hour concerts on Friday, and four have Friday Open Rehearsals. The Amica Rush Hour Series offers an early start time - 6:30pm- on remaining Fridays November 14, April 10 and May 8. These shorter, informal, accessible concerts feature full performances of select repertoire from the Saturday Classical concerts. Open Rehearsals, on remaining Fridays January 16, February 20 andMarch 20 at 5:30pm, offer insight into the collaboration between the conductor, guest artists and orchestra musicians as they prepare for the upcoming classical concert. Subscriptions and individual concert tickets are on sale now. Call the Philharmonic box office at 401.248.7000, or visit tickets.riphil.org.