In our third tour of our first year of touring, we visited towns throughout the Kawartha Lakes district, including Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, Peterborough, and Curve Lake Reserve. During 9 concerts, we met hundreds of seniors, many of whom had not heard live classical music in a very long time, if ever.
Michael Newnham, Music Director of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra narrated the concert featuring concertmaster Jennifer Burford and Principal Cellist Zuzanna Chomicka-Newnham. They created a program based on dance, from Bach, Brahms, and Dvorak to Spanish dance and tango, opera ballets and interludes, Scott Joplin, and even a little swing.
The storytelling was as fascinating as the music, and every audience was excited, curious, and asked lots of questions afterwards.
We had so many happy comments, and good visits!
One resident said, “The concert reminded me of the music my mother and father would play on 78s [records]. And you had to be so careful not to drop them! The music takes me a long way back in my memories.”
Another said, “We don’t get much classical music here. And I love it!”
At Curve Lake Reserve, almost 25 seniors, plus a grandchild joined us despite the rain and wind. The applause was so enthusiastic, and the questions went on for almost 15 minutes. We even had to go research two of them.
We have been invited back everywhere, and especially to Curve Lake where their singer/drummer was unable to perform, so our exchange remains incomplete. They asked us to come in the spring, when their little girl drum circle, ages 8 – 13, can play for us. We are looking forward to that visit.
