Mantz, Erika

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices3-2-2004UNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle SchoolStudentsErika MantzFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationMantz, Erika, "UNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School Students" (2004). UNH Today. 1589.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/158910/4/17, 11(01 AMUNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School StudentsPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2004/march/em_20040302kies_nash.html2002 Postage Stamp FeaturingOgden NashRelated LinksGranite StateSymphony OrchestraUNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School StudentsContact: Erika Mantz603-862-1567UNH Media RelationsMarch 2, 2004DURHAM, N.H. -- Hundreds of middle school students will pack Johnson Theatre at theUniversity of New Hampshire March 16 to celebrate Music in the Schools Month with a concertdesigned just for them by music professor and pianist Christopher Kies.The entire Oyster River Middle School as well as students fromthe Exeter Area Cooperative Middle School and NewmarketMiddle/High School will see a concert by the Granite StateSymphony Orchestra that includes a piece composed by Kies tothe animal poetry of Ogden Nash, a humorist and poet who wasthe first American chosen to grace the 37 cent postage stamp in2002, the centennial of his birth.The concert is free for every student thanks to a $7,000 grantfrom the office of the vice president for research and publicservice at UNH.“It's wonderful when anybody in the community does anythingthat brings an enriching experience to children in public schools,” ORMS Principal Marcia Rosssaid of the concert. “Then, when it's something of this size and caliber, and by someone with theexcitement of Chris Kies, it's a wonderful opportunity for all children. I only wish that everyschool could have something like this to look forward to for Music in the Schools month.”The production has a real grassroots feel to it. Kies' interest in composing for young people grewout of his relationship with his three daughters. Several graduates of the UNH music departmentare teaching in the schools invited to the concert. Oyster River Middle School chorus teacher andUNH graduate Beth Struthers will sing several songs during the concert in preparation for Kies'orchestral piece. It “borrows” tunes, meaning listeners will hear strains of everything from Odeto Joy and Rock a Bye Baby to The Girl from Ipanema and Tea-for-Two.“Modern and classical music can be esoteric, not user friendly,” Kies says when asked why hecomposes for children. “When I was in college writing pieces, the arbitrary nature of it botheredme. I like to have a reason for doing something, and what could be better than introducingchildren to music and an orchestra? Borrowing other composers' melodies allows people torecognize something in what they are hearing, and it's a way of preserving the culture.”Kies composed this piece after an earlier one frustrated him. The Amazing Bone, based on oneof Kies' and his daughters favorite books by William Steig and written for the trombone (think ofthe voice of the teacher in Charlie Brown) and piano, debuted in 2001. “It was a successful piece10/4/17, 11(01 AMUNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School StudentsPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2004/march/em_20040302kies_nash.htmlthe voice of the teacher in Charlie Brown) and piano, debuted in 2001. “It was a successful pieceand the kids loved it, but the publisher requires payment of $100 every time it is performed,” hesaid. “That might not sound like a lot, but it is when you have no funding.”That's when he decided to do something with narration and music that was in the public domain,or controlled by a more relaxed publisher. Long an admirer of Carnival of the Animals, whichfeatures Ogden Nash's poetry alongside the music of Camille Saint-Saens, Kies decided tochoose 12 other poems about animals by Nash and add music to them. Most importantly, Nash'spublisher said that if Kies didn't charge admission to the performance, there would be no feeattached.This concert is not open to the public so as many students as possible can participate, but a weeklater Kies has organized a performance by Colonial Brass, the brass quintet of the Band ofLiberty from Hanscom Air Force Base that is free and open to the public. This event is special inthat all the students and parents from Moharimet and Mast Way elementary schools have beeninvited to attend. The concert will be held Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the Granite StateRoom in the Memorial Union Building on campus.

UNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School Students

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UNH Hosts Concert for Local Middle School Students

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