As part of the PSO’s ongoing Explore & Learn partnership with the Portsmouth Elementary Schools, this year we connected with the music teachers Abigail Keller (Dondero School), Karen Marceau (New Franklin School), and Gina Connolly (Little Harbor School), to film a series of “pandemic friendly” videos introducing the different instruments of the orchestra. Instead of bringing the students to hear a concert at The Music Hall, we brought the orchestra to them–virtually!
In this two part collaboration, fourteen Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra principal musicians were each asked to record a 60 second video at home. Intended to be an opportunity for students to meet one instrument from each of the “family of instruments” that make up an entire orchestra, the PSO musicians introduce their instruments, share what they like about it, and demonstrate some of the cool sounds they can make. The videos were then used in their classrooms as part of the Explore & Learn curriculum.
Next, the talented and creative music teachers Abigail Keller, Gina Connolly, and Karen Marceau, created a wonderfully engaging storyline that tied the instrument introduction videos together for one complete and captivating presentation.
Enjoy! And we look forward to seeing you all in one of our Explore & Learn concerts for young music lovers!