Media Advisory Peter & the Wolf

From: Children's Orchestra Society - Nov 18, 2005

MEDIA ADVISORY

For further information contact:
Esther Lustig 917.301.1658 Lexington School
Deanna Morton, Morton Communications for the Children's Orchestra Society
516.829.5501, cell: 516.732.6414

Lexington School for the Deaf and the Children's Orchestra Society
Open New Frontiers in Arts Education for Deaf Children

With support from a theater arts federal grant, elementary school children at the Lexington School for the Deaf in collaboration with the Children's Orchestra Society (COS) will perform Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, at the Ralph and Ricky Lauren Theater on December 2, 2005, at 10:30 A.M. The theater located at the Lexington School is equipped with state of the art technology for the deaf. Technological advances in audio equipment, personal hearing aids and cochlear implants have for deaf children heightened awareness of different sounds. In turn, this enables them to more effectively interpret musical stories and to connect the music to the character that is portrayed.

This performance of the classical favorite, Peter and the Wolf is the culmination of a series of music appreciation and participation workshops conducted since October 2004 by COS Music Director Michael Dadap with the assistance of its faculty members for elementary school students at Lexington. The students will narrate the music in sign language and an interpreter will voice for the hearing audience. The COS Alumni Chamber Orchestra (COSACO) with faculty and guest musicians will be conducted by Michael Dadap.

The Lexington School is a state supported, not-for-profit school for profoundly deaf children from infancy through high school. Since opening its doors in 1864 the school has been lauded for its cutting edge programs, especially in the area of language and cognition.

The Children's Orchestra Society, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma and Music Director Michael Dadap is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to "teaching children the language of music." COS currently has more than 220 members, which include four orchestras, a chamber music department, musicianship training classes, and instrumental instruction. Children are encouraged to learn in a nurturing yet challenging environment, and to find their “own voice” to express themselves.

"It is apparent that the mission of the school and the orchestra are very compatible. This federal grant provided the opportunity for our students to work with the Children's Orchestra Society and other gifted groups and artists. Needless to say, learning the language of music is a gift for all children. For deaf children it helps to expand their world knowledge equal to that of their hearing peers," stated Dr. Gina Carroll, Superintendent of the School.