This is a free community event.

Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.

Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.

Please reach out to the Oshtemo Branch to register for this event.

Storybook: The Dance of the Violin
As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined. It’s a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks the judges if could try again. They agree, and this time, the playing is impeccable. Dušan Petricic’s brilliant illustrations, full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua’s violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua’s misstep, but they will also learn that there is always a second chance.

Presented in collaboration with The Stulberg Competition in honor of their 50th Anniversary, this program combines string quartet music with the story of a now famous musician just starting out. Along with the story we will learn to “dance with music” as we hear music for dance before and after the story. The program includes a fun cardboard violin prop and a quick lesson on how to hold your bow!