Fallbrook Music Society's season opener gets rave reviews - Youth Education Music Outreach Program inaugurated

FALLBROOK – The first concert of Fallbrook Music Society’s 2013-14 Season opened with a crowded house – and an international flair, as two unique groups ‘raised the roof’ at the Bob Burton Center. The Keiper Accordion Orchestra and the German Brass Band from Rockenhausen, Germany performed in Fallbrook as part of their California tour sponsored by the German Government. The orchestras received two standing ovations from the enthusiastic Fallbrook audience following a dynamic program that culminated in both orchestras combining forces to deliver a rousing finale.

“The concert was wonderful and was obviously enjoyed by the audience, and the musicians from Germany felt warmly welcomed and appreciated,” said Jane Lorenz, President of Fallbrook Music Society. “Fallbrook Music Society more than succeeded in its goal of achieving a great kickoff to our upcoming season,” she added.

Contributing to the excitement in the audience was the introduction of an innovative, music outreach program involving the greater Scouting community. As well as local area scout troops, scouts came from as far away as Alpine and Corona to participate in the ‘Music Mania’ educational program. In attendance were nearly 130 uniformed Scouts of all ages, as well as many parents, representing 11 various troops from throughout the region.

Webelos, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts participated in a variety of advancements, which included the completion of the Music Merit badge, music belt loop, academic pin and patch. The pre-concert educational outreach session included an overview of orchestral instrumentation and a “tour” of various instruments of the orchestra and their sounds.

The workshop also showcased the newly-formed Fallbrook Music Society student board of directors, comprised of the section leaders of the Fallbrook Warriors marching band. The student musicians put on a show for the scouts that featured their individual instruments and concluded with the energetic fight song finale.

The education program culminated with the respective scout troops building an orchestra with standup cutouts of musicians and the creation of bugles with duct tape, funnels and garden hoses.

Fallbrook Music Society continues its new concert season with Redlands Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 pm, with an all-Mozart program, highlighted by his Symphony No. 39, which has remained one of the great mature works of his genius.

Also on the program is the spirited and powerful overture to the opera Don Giovanni, as well as the only music ever written by Mozart for harp, his Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major. Featured soloists for this performance will be Sara Andon, flute and Mary Dropkin, harp. There will also be a conductor’s preview at 2:45 pm, which is open to all ticket holders.

Single tickets and season subscription information can be obtained by calling Fallbrook Music Society at (760) 451-8644 or visiting http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.