This year’s White Lake Chamber Music Festival offers fun and exciting musical events for children and families! New to the 2024 Festival will be two fun-filled 7 p.m. Family Concerts on Aug. 3 and Aug. 7, a Student Recital showcasing local music students Aug. 5 at 4 p.m., an interactive musical adventure with Erin Wang at the White Lake Community Library Aug. 6 at 11 a.m., plus an Instrument Petting Zoo that will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 3, just before the Family Concert. Children are admitted free of charge to every Festival concert and event.
The first Family Concert Saturday, Aug. 3, features French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Carnival of the Animals”, with narration of Ogden Nash lyrics. This is a humorous musical suite of 14 movements with narration showcasing animals represented by different instruments. Four exciting solo instruments will also be highlighted during the evening. Prior to the concert will be an Instrument Petting Zoo where young people can touch and hear different instruments up close.
The second Family Concert Wednesday, Aug. 7, “Enchanting Musical Stories,” will feature Peter and the Wolf - a symphonic folk tale written by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a symphonic poem by the French composer Paul Dukas, completed in 1897. This was based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s 1797 poem. Of all of Dukas’ works, this is the most popular. The Walt Disney 1940 animated film Fantasia has led to the piece becoming widely known to audiences outside the classical concert hall. Children’s imaginations will come alive as they are captivated by the dramatic storytelling and enticing music.
According to ClassicalMusicforKids.com, “There is much research on the benefits of music for a child’s development. Classical music has a positive influence, especially with regard to young children. You may have heard statements such as: ‘Classical music can help your child to be smarter.’ ‘Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.’ ‘Music facilitates the growth of neural pathways, connecting both sides of the brain.’ These are just some of the reasons why parents often want to introduce their youngsters to classical music at a very early age.”
The remarkable strength, character, and history of the White Lake Chamber Music Festival continues to impact the White Lake area as it enters the 15th season of presenting an impressive array of exceptional performances. Excellent programming, world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances will take place from Aug. 2–10, 2024 in the White Lake area. What once was mostly found only in metropolitan cities, is now a yearly experience in the White Lake area.
