WASHINGTON -- On Sunday, March 20, Assistant Director Maj. Ryan J. Nowlin and the Marine Chamber Orchestra will set off on a whimsical adventure to guide children and families through a fascinating musical journey to discover the instruments of a symphony orchestra and learn the wonderful art of musical composition. Joined by guest composer Jim Stephenson, this 50-minute immersion into the world of music will show kids each instrumental family, the roles they each play, and let them hear the silly, fun, and beautiful sounds they make. The young audience will also have a hand in the compositional process, allowing them to craft a totally unique world première performance.
“The goal of the Young People’s Concert is to share with children the joy and unmatched energy of live music,” Nowlin said. “It is also our goal to show them the instruments of the orchestra and hear their colors from live musicians.”
Nowlin, a former music educator himself, has partnered with composer Jim Stephenson to teach children the fundamentals of musical instrumentation and composing.
“It’s always great to work and collaborate with Mr. Stephenson,” Nowlin said. “He’s a world-class musician and composer. When wanting to bring the subject of composition to our Young People’s Concert, I thought of him immediately. His musical originality shines through every measure of music.”
Nowlin hopes that after the concert, children understand the impact that the unmatched energy of live music can have and hopefully use that knowledge to set off on their own musical paths.
He added: “The world is full of possibilities for children, and there is a community ready to support and encourage their musical interests.”
The concert will take place at 2 p.m. at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. The program is catered to children, but guests of all ages are welcome to attend. Admission is free, and free parking is available in the adjacent garage.