The Louisville Orchestra and the Louisville Free Public Library are proud to present the new 2023-2024 season of Once Upon and Orchestra. Through this free, public family concert series, multigenerational families are invited to join Louisville Orchestra ensembles for fun, interactive storytelling through-music performances at every library branch across Metro Louisville. Participants of all ages will enjoy a 30-minute music instrument making activity followed by a 30-minute music program that weaves together storytelling adventures with creative music making. Prior to each performance, LO staff will lead a craft activity using recycled materials – and children can play their homemade instruments during the show! The schedule for Once Upon and Orchestra season will be announced by September 1st!
Once Upon an Orchestra is free and open to the public. There is no RSVP required and reading the book prior to attending is always encouraged, but not necessary! Check out the books coming to a library near you:
Bunny’s Book Club
Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night . . . through the library’s book drop! Join a string quartet (two violins, viola, cello) who helps tell this story along with bunny drums made by the audience.
Llama Destroys the World
Meet Llama, the next great picture-book megastar, who has most definitely driven a bus and who loves tacos way more than you. He also loves cake, and that’s where our story begins. This funny story is told through familiar tunes by a woodwind quintet which includes a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon and french horn.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
A violin and viola reimagine the famous story of that very hungry caterpillar. With interactive elements throughout the story, the youngest members of the audience will make music as we watch the caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly. If there is time, the audience can help create the story of the butterfly!
Mina
Marvelous mouse-sized mischief for all ages! Mina, a tiny white mouse, does not know what to think about her father’s unusual houseguests. Fun for the whole family, the audience will be a key storyteller in this funny story about a father and his daughter in this story told by a violin and a cello.
The Music of the Sea
A story about the power of hope, and the universal language of music, The Music of the Sea is a beautiful story about Daniel and his daughter who decide to stay behind when the storm batters their little coastal village. Audience members make the music that helps save the village with a viola, horn, and trumpet.
Where the Wild Things Are
Join along with a musical telling of the famous children’s story of Where the Wild Things Are. Audience members will be asked to draw along with the story, letting the music inspire their own setting of the story with a violin and cello.
