Once Upon an Orchestra
The Louisville Free Public Library and the Louisville Orchestra are pleased to announce the fourth season of the collaborative project “Once Upon An Orchestra.” Public performances begin on Tuesday, October 1 at the Western Library and will tour to all LFPL locations through March 2025.
Presented free, each branch will host one of six different, unique family programs that weave music and storytelling together in an interactive experience. Louisville Orchestra musicians perform original music created around familiar and beloved children’s books. The hour-long experiences include a 30-minute small ensemble performance preceded by a hands-on activity to build a musical instrument from recycled materials, so everyone can play along.
For “Once Upon An Orchestra,” composers from the LO Creators Corps have developed original musical scores to accompany a number of beloved children’s books, including Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In addition, this year’s series features two new composition – Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson.
The musically enhanced storytelling leans into one of the key programs of the LFPL, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge. This Library program encourages all families and caregivers to read at least 1000 books with their preschool-age children to build the vocabulary and language skills needed for success in school.
Co-presented by the Louisville Orchestra and the Louisville Free Public Library, “Once Upon An Orchestra” is funded with support from Louisville Metro Government.
See Full Schedule!
Books featured this season:
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie ( NEW! )
The award-winning If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time and has been reimagined as part of the LO’s Once Upon An Orchestra Series. This interpretation told by a woodwind quintet which features a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon and french horn is lively, upbeat and fun for the whole family. Score arranged/composed by 2023-24 LO Creators Corps composer, Alex Berko.
Activity: Cookie Shaker
Bear Snores On ( NEW! )
While bear slumbers through a long winter, his friends take refuge in his cave during a winter storm. Bear remains in a deep sleep while animal friends start a fire, make tea, pop corn, sing, and dance. When he finally wakes up, he’s surprised to find his cave full of uninvited guests who’ve been having a party without him! Told by a bass and cello, you will be sure to hear deep snoring sounds throughout the story. Score arranged/composed by 2023-24 LO Creators Corps composer, Tanner Porter.
Activity: Snore Straw
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) as they help tell this story along with bunny drums made by the audience. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Bunny Drum
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 performed by a woodwind quintet which features a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, and french horn. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Llama Puppet
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! Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Caterpillar Shaker
