Meet the Real Music Stars at the STL Symphony Family Concerts

As much as our kids love their technology and pop music, we as parents can help introduce them to the first musical superstars. For an afternoon, remove the earbuds from their ears, the tablets from their hands, and Flo Rida from their heads so that they can be immersed in the sights and sounds of the St. Louis Symphony.

Starting this weekend, the St. Louis Symphony will launch its 2013-2014 Family Concerts series — four unique performances that will acquaint kids with classical composers in a fun, kid-friendly and unique way. By combining theatrical performances, visual art and audience interaction, the St. Louis Symphony has created an exceptional musical experience and one families look forward to year after year.

Welcoming a world premiere

The St. Louis Symphony Family Concert Series begins with the world premiere of The Life and Times of Beethoven on September 29, conducted by new Resident Conductor, Steven Jarvi, and featuring performer Michael Boudewyns, back for his third season with the orchestra.

Boudewyns brings a vaudeville-inspired approach to the symphony, accompanying Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with the story of this iconic composer, told through physical performance and creative narration that strikes a chord with young symphony fans.

Boudewyns jumps into the shoes of Professor Nigel Taproot, a retired British university don and Beethoven devotee. Through each of the Fifth Symphony’s four movements, Boudewyns explores four significant times in the composer’s life, including his difficult childhood, his descent into deafness, the Fifth Symphony’s maligned premiere, and finally, the triumph behind one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed.

“The fact is, Beethoven’s story is really inspiring,” said Boudewyns. “Although he had a horrible childhood and was going deaf, he kept going and kept writing, knowing he had something to offer. We all have moments that are less than happy, when we have our doubts or concerns, but everybody has something to offer. For this family concert, we’re all playfully working together in service of Beethoven’s vision.”

Since 2004, Boudewyns and his wife, Sara Valentine, have combined child-like enthusiasm and classic theatre to add another dimension to the symphony experience.

“Storytelling in general has always been a part of every orchestra. Every movement of a composition tells a story,” Boudewyns remarked.

Together, the Really Inventive Stuff founders have scripted numerous theatrical pieces which have been performed on symphony stages across the globe. In fact, Boudewyns has thrilled young audiences from the St. Louis Symphony stage with his roles in Peter and the Wolf, Toy Symphony and Green Eggs and Ham.

This past year, the St. Louis Symphony commissioned him to create The Life and Times of Beethoven. For the past 10 months, Boudewyns and Valentine have researched Beethoven’s life and studied his letters to develop a script that would celebrate the composer’s achievements and blend seamlessly with Jarvi’s performance.

According to Boudewyns, the goal of The Life and Times of Beethoven for kids and adults alike is two-fold: “We want to create something that leaves people feeling they’ve had a full experience and want to come back and hear the St. Louis Symphony again, and realize how lucky they are to live by such a wonderful symphony."

A full season for families

The Life and Times of Beethoven is just the first performance of four that will familiarize young listeners with the orchestra. Additional performances in the St. Louis Symphony Family Concert series include:

• SymphonySLAM on November 17. The St. Louis Symphony joins with the Saint Louis Art Museum to blend music with art. During the performance, the museum's most treasured pieces will be flashed on screen alongside music from Bartók and Britten.
• Peter and the Wolf on January 12. Performers from STAGES St. Louis will act out Prokofiev’s family-favorite symphony – an ideal combination of music and theater that will thrill fans old and young alike.
• Choose Your Own Symphonic Adventure on March 9. During the performance, kids can choose their favorite pieces for the St. Louis Symphony to perform. This unique, interactive presentation includes works from Beethoven, Mozart and Bach.

For Boudewyns, every child deserves the chance to experience the St. Louis Symphony and The Life and Times of Beethoven for themselves. And in fact, the encounter can be life-changing.

“We are constantly surrounded by technology, but for 45 minutes, a child can sit and be surrounded by the vibrations of awesomeness that Beethoven has assembled. It’s truly an experience that is worth a lifetime, and you just can’t put a price on it.”

Each of the Family Concerts are held on Sunday afternoons starting at 3 p.m. Tickets for the performances can be purchased online at www.stlsymphony.org or by calling 314-534-1700. Arrive early and visit the instrument playground where kids can try out instruments from each of the music families. Concerts are recommended for ages 5 to 12.

_{Photos courtesy of the St. Louis Symphony}