Madison City Community Orchestra to entertain with ‘Saturday Morning Cartoons’
MADISON – In its upcoming concert, Madison City Community Orchestra will take a nostalgic look at weekends when kids sat cross-legged at the TV watching their favorite cartoons.
The “Saturday Morning Cartoons” concert will be held at the Christian Life Center at Madison United Methodist Church at 127 Church St. in downtown Madison. Guests can enter at the south entrance by the parking lot. The concert starts at 5 p.m. on April 24.
“Please come out and attend our free concert and enjoy the music of Saturday morning cartoons. Our musicians have worked really hard. The concert is going to be so much fun!” MCCO Director Sandy Weisner.
The concert will feature “This Is It,” Various/Brubaker; “William Tell,” Rossini/Ryden; “Dance of the Hours,” Ponchielli/Rosenhaus; Theme from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Dukas/Higgins; “Marriage of Figaro,” Mozart/Isaac; “Dvorak Symphony #9 New World movement #2 Largo,” Dvorak; and “What’s Up at the Symphony,” Various/Brubaker.
“We’ll start our concert with the Ukrainian National Anthem showing support for the Ukrainian people in their current struggle to remain a free nation,” Weisner said.
“Our concert is designed to show that classical music is part of our everyday life from symphony concerts to our regular Saturday morning cartoons,” Weisner said. “So many times, folks will know a piece of music simply because they heard it on TV or in the movies.”
“For many, what comes to mind when ‘Barber of Seville’ or ‘William Tell’ is played isn’t the magnificent playing of a symphony orchestra . . . it’s Bugs Bunny or Yosemite Sam causing mayhem,” Weisner said.
“We invite you to dress in your (appropriate) pajamas and enjoy pre-packaged breakfast snacks during the concert: Cereal, muffins, pop-tarts and juices are prepackaged and offered at no cost. Donations will be accepted,” she said.
Surprisingly, although MCCO couldn’t rehearse/perform during the pandemic, the group continued to grow. MCCO’s roster now has 113 people; 65 members will perform in the concert.
The orchestra recognizes “principals” or mentors of their section:
* Strings — Meredith Kimmett, Violin 1/Concertmaster; Rachel Wyatt, Violin 2; Julie Anderson, Viola; Jill Williamson, Cello; Steve Edwards, String Bass; Ronnie Wingo, Harp.
* Woodwinds — Natalie Frazier, Flute; Connie Haun, Oboe; Dorinna Thom, Clarinet; Dian Beaubien, Bass Clarinet; Jennifer Free, Bassoon.
* Brass — Robert Price, French Horn: Bill Crosson, Trumpet; Elliot Laramie, Trombone; John Inness, Tuba.
* Rhythm — Jessica Hunt, Percussion; Jaime Richardson, Piano.
The MCCO Board of Directors includes President Robert Price, Vice President Frank Cotton, Administrator Julie Anderson, Director of Finance Natalie Frazier, Director of Marketing Dian Beaubien, Director of Fundraising Jan Mason, Director of Web Design Sharon Euley, Librarian Steve Edwards, Youth Representative Rylee Richardson and Assistant Director Allison Edgecomb.
“We would like to thank Madison UMC for their support, as well as all our corporate sponsors: The City of Madison, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Madison Street Festival, Madison Band Supply and many others,” Weisner said.
“Additionally, we’d like to thank our private sponsors. Without the support of so many, we would not exist,” Weisner said.
For more information, visit mccorchestra.org or Facebook.