The Bucks County Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Family Concert at Central Bucks High School South in Warrington at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.
The program — “Bats, Beats and Beasts!,” conducted by Music Director José Luis Domínguez — is for music lovers of all ages. Families are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy the sounds of the BCSO and dozens of talented young musicians from Central Bucks schools.
The concert is sponsored by the Central Bucks School District, the Estate of Victoria P. Herd, and Tom Newman (in memory of Judy Newman).
The BCSO will perform a lively and dramatic program around the theme of animals, including the “Overture to Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) by Johann Strauss, “Theme to Jurassic Park” by John Williams, and the beloved “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns.
“Carnival will be narrated by long-time Doylestown resident Valerie Eastburn, a BCSO board member and head of the Drama Program at Phillips’ Mill Community Association. The BCSO will welcome back to the concert stage two pianists who once played with the Orchestra as youth competition winners — Stephen Duffy (1983) and Karen Piranian Burgman (1999).
A highlight of the afternoon’s concert will be the performance of Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen,” played by 13-year-old Mio Imai, winner of the BCSO’s 2023 Youth Concerto Competition and Jeanne Marvin Phillips Prize.
Mio plays in the chamber and orchestral ensembles at Temple Music Prep’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians. She has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras in the U.S. and Italy since age 9, has won top prizes in multiple national and international competitions, and has played in masterclasses with several renowned violinists.
The BCSO will welcome elementary string players from Butler, Jamison and Mill Creek schools, under the direction of their teacher, Donna Hartzell. These talented young musicians join the BCSO on two pieces: “The Beast” and ”Sheep May Safely Graze” (tune by Bach).
For tickets and information, visit BucksCountySymphony.org. Concert attendees are invited to enter a drawing for a $100 gift card to Russo’s Music.
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