Once Upon an Orchestra
The Louisville Orchestra and the Louisville Free Public Library are proud to present the 2023-2024 season of Once Upon an Orchestra. This free, public family concert series invites multigenerational families to join Louisville Orchestra ensembles for fun, interactive storytelling-through-music performances at every library branch across Metro Louisville. Prior to each performance, LO staff will lead a craft activity using recycled materials – and audience members can play their homemade instruments during the show!
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) 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.
Performance Dates:
12/9/2023 – Newburg Branch at 11:00AM
1/18/2024 – Northeast Regional Branch at 6:30PM
4/26/2024 – St. Matthews Branch at 2:00PM
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.
Performance Dates:
10/19/2023 – Bon Air Branch at 2:30PM
1/9/2024 – Shawnee Branch at 2:00PM
1/27/2024 – Iroquois Branch at 10:30AM
2/10/2024 – Western Branch at 2:00PM
2/24/2024 – Main Branch at 2:00PM
4/27/2024 – South Central Regional Branch at 10:00AM
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.
Performance Dates:
10/28/2023 – Middletown Branch at 11:00AM
2/13/2024 – Jeffersontown Branch at 11:00AM
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, performed by a violin and a cello. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, Tyler Taylor.
Performance Dates:
12/14/2023 – Crescent Hill Branch at 2:30PM
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. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Performance Dates:
11/11/2023 – Highlands-Shelby Park Branch at 2:00PM
11/29/2023 – Shively Branch at 11:00AM
2/15/2024 – Fairdale Branch at 5:30PM
Where the Wild Things Are
Join along with a musical telling of the famous children’s story, 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.
Performance Dates:
11/22/2023 – Southwest Regional Branch at 2:00PM
