Monday, June 23, 2008

Yo, ho, ho! Children's Fest is huge success!






On Sunday, June 8, the ASO held its annual Children's Fest at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. Outside the venue, hundreds of pirate lads and lasses made treasure maps and pirate hats, heard stories, competed in a limbo contest, and learned new dances. Inside, all those pirates made sure they were heard across the Potomac at the instrument petting zoo. Who knows? Some might even leave behind life on a ship for life on a stage with an orchestra!


After the activities were finished, everyone headed inside the auditorium. You could almost feel the waves pounding as the ASO played selections from the "Pirates of the Carribbean" movies. Maestro Kim Allen Kluge, or as he was known that day, Captain Jack Sparrow, took us on a symphonic adventure. Swords became batons as we played along with the music and mimiced the instruments with our hands.

Adding to the experience was an impressive, and often funny, videography that played behind the orchestra. Interspered with artwork created by area students involved in the Children's Fest curriculum was a narrative about a school janitor. While cleaning at night, he discovers the children's artwork has come to life. Although we all know the arts can be magical, this videography gave that notion a fantastical twist.

After all the activity, excitment, and inspiration (not to mention a beating hot sun), we were all ready to retire to our own quarters and start dreaming up ideas for next year...

(Of course, we couldn't end this post without thanking everyone who attended and volunteered at the event. A very, very, very special thanks goes to Melissa Luby, the amazing ASO Special Project Coordinator who organized the event and made it an amazing success.)

Monday, June 2, 2008

Garden Party 2008

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, the ASO held its annual Garden Party which featured a live auction. Despite some drizzly weather at the start of the evening, the event was a huge success raising over $41,000! This money will support the ASO's efforts to bring the symphonic experience to the entire community. Examples of these iniatives include the upcoming Children's Arts Festival and our $5 Sunday matinee youth tickets.



Thank you to everyone who attended, donated or bid at the auction, or helped make the event an amazing night! Of course, a special thanks goes to our Board whose hard work makes this all possible!






Picture 1: Elizabeth McCrae, Kate Patterson, Harriet Lankford
Picture 2: Cassie McLaughlin, Nick and Gincy Carosi
Picture 3: Frank and Betty Quirk, Jim and Molly Singerling