A Fun Introduction to Classical Music for Families with Young Children: Featuring PYP’s Portland Youth String Ensemble, led by Oregon Symphony Violinist Inés Voglar Belgique
Posted on February 20, 2024
PORTLAND, OR – The musicians of the Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE) and their conductor, Inés Voglar Belgique present the annual Cushion Concert - a 45-minute family-friendly interactive musical program that will have young ones ages 2-8 smiling and clapping along. Bring your cushions and join the fun at Oaks Park Dance Pavilion on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 3:00 PM.
The performance is preceded by an Instrument Petting Zoo at 2:00 PM, hosted by Kennedy Violins, when young ones can play child-sized instruments of the string family. This event’s generous media sponsor is the International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN Radio).
“My favorite thing about the Cushion Concert is that the kids can be free to enjoy the concert without having to be still or quiet; I love when they start to dance to the music,” said PYSE conductor Inés Voglar Belgique. “Our musicians get to play a wide variety of repertoire by American composers, including some from Portland, Oregon, like principal cellist of the Oregon Symphony Nancy Ives and Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra oboist, Alejandro Belgique. We have a lot of fun with it!”
The program includes a Q&A with the musicians and conductor, instrument demonstrations, and kid-focused music, including scores from some of our favorite movies, like John Williams’ Trilogy (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Raiders of the Lost Ark).
Bring your curious little ones early to enjoy the Instrument Petting Zoo from 2:00 – 3:00 PM. Including this hands-on activity with the concert has helped to curate a love and appreciation for the instruments of the string family in young audience members.
“Our partnership with the Portland Youth Philharmonic, especially through the ‘instrument petting zoo’, has been a meaningful part of Kennedy Violins’ community involvement,” said Zach Sears, Kennedy Violins Shop Manager. “It’s a unique opportunity to introduce young enthusiasts to string instruments, sparking early interest in music. This collaboration with PYP enriches our commitment to music education and the arts.”
You’ll be amused from start to finish at this relaxed and entertaining concert. Grab your cushion, snuggle in your blanket, and prepare to be inspired by dedicated young musicians.
Tickets $7 for students, $12 for seniors, and $15 for adults. To learn more about the program, ensemble, composers, and to purchase tickets, visit portlandyouthphil.org/family; tickets may also be purchased at the venue door.
Portland Youth Philharmonic Season 100 (2023-2024)
Who: Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE), conducted by Inés Voglar Belgique
What: Cushion Concert
When: Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 2:00 PM Petting Zoo; 3:00 PM Concert Program
Where: Oaks Park Dance Pavilion | 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202
Tickets:
• $7 students; $12 seniors; $15 adults
• $5 Arts for All tickets
Program:
• Richard Meyer: Ear-igami
• Nancy Ives: Grandfather Storyteller
• Alejandro Belgique: Conundrum
• A. Borodin: Nocturne from Quartet no. 2,
Performed by the PYSE String quartet: Emmaline Bunch & Sophia Chung, violin; Lucas Carter, viola; Feifei Wan, cello
• Norman Leyden: Serenade for Strings
• Leroy Anderson: Plink, Plank, Plunk!
• John Williams: Trilogy
Instrument Petting Zoo Sponsor: Kennedy Violins
Media Sponsor: International Children’s Arts Network
Portland Youth String Ensemble
Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE) is one of four large ensembles of the Portland Youth Philharmonic organization. PYSE is an intermediate-level string ensemble geared toward students who have not had a great deal of experience performing in an ensemble setting. Weekly rehearsals and music theory classes stress performance; building solid, fundamental rhythmic and orchestral skills; and improving sight-reading abilities.
Portland Youth Philharmonic
Portland Youth Philharmonic prepares young people for success through musical excellence. PYP is a vibrant community of over 300 young people who explore their passion for music and grow as individuals while making lifelong friendships. The organization’s tradition of excellence in education and performance dates to its founding in 1924.
Inés Voglar Belgique
Violinist Inés Voglar Belgique was born to a Slovenian family in Venezuela, where she studied music under the program “El Sistema” and violin with Roberto Valdes. She came to the United States in 1996 to complete her undergraduate and graduate studies at Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University with Andrés Cárdenes, then concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Before joining the Oregon Symphony in 2004, she played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Symphony as an extra musician, including national and European tours. She also served as guest concertmaster of the Galicia Symphony Orchestra in December 2007 and has been a frequent concertmaster of the Astoria Music Festival Orchestra.
In September 2012 she won the position of assistant principal second violin with the Oregon Symphony in a national audition. An avid chamber musician, she is a member of the Palatine Piano Trio with Dr. Nancy Ives and Dr. Susan Smith, and DuoKrom with Molly Barth. She has been a violinist in FearNoMusic since 2005, and served as artistic director until 2011, reaching out to collaborate with internationally acclaimed composers and presenting the music of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. In addition to private studio teaching, she is a faculty member at the Interlochen Adult Chamber Music Camp and the conductor of the Portland Youth String Ensemble of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. In the past, she taught as adjunct faculty of Lewis & Clark from 2015-2020, the Oregon State University Chamber Music Workshop, and Portland Summer Ensembles. Recent performances include appearances at the Slovenian Parliament, Vipava Castle, and the National University Library in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
International Children’s Arts Network
The International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN) is a dedicated radio station for children to celebrate the joy of being a child, explore other cultures, and enhance their learning. ICAN provides access to the arts for all and nurtures a love for music and literature.
ICAN is a 24-hour arts and music HD radio station for children, their families, caregivers, and educators. Our diverse content is available online at icanradio.org, via All Classical Radio’s mobile app, on your smart speaker, and on demand.
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