Photo provided A few members of the Columbus Youth Orchestra kicked off the Sidewalk Sounds summer series last week.
For those who may not yet have had the chance to go see the local professional orchestra, the ensemble is coming to them this summer in a smaller format.
Such is the idea behind the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s hour-long, lunchtime Sidewalk Sounds informal outdoor performances in Columbus and Franklin through Aug. 21.
The orchestra began the outreach last summer to promote everything from the orchestral season to the Cabaret at The Commons season to its youth education program, but made serious promotion of the Sidewalk Sounds dates a priority only this year, according to Donnie Robinette.
He’s the Philharmonic’s executive director, and one who’s been saying regularly since last year that “the musicians would like more opportunities to play.”
That also has been reflected in chamber concerts that began last summer at the orchestra’s Helen Haddad Hall at 315 Franklin St. in downtown Columbus.
Rain pushed the first Sidewalk Sound installment of the current season on June 26 in front of The Commons with a few members of the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra inside the lobby. The ensemble played pieces such as the theme from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series for maybe 50 passersby who mingled briefly, according to Robinette.
The members will play again July 31 in Franklin.
“We’re simply engaging people as they walk by,” Robinette said.
Vanessa Edwards, the Philharmonic’s education director who coordinates the youth ensemble, mentioned that such outings give the youngsters that much more general exposure beyond their actual concerts.
For the remaining dates of the performances, there will be three to five musicians, playing most pop tunes, organizers said.
“We know that that is what most people are more immediately familiar with,” Robinette said.
For years, the orchestra’s youth education program has been heralded as top notch by people ranging from Grammy award winning performer and Philharmonic favorite guest artist Sylvia McNair to former Philharmonic board chair Robert Kaspar, who also is former chairman of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
A record number of more than 120 students just completed the Philharmonic’s summertime Strings Camp last month. Moreover, more than 300 students were involved in the youth education program last semester.
The Philharmonic provides strings instruction in 11 area elementary schools: CSA Fodrea, CSA Lincoln, Clifty Creek, Mount Healthy, Parkside, Richards, Rockcreek, Schmitt, Smith, Southside and Taylorsville. Experienced teachers provide small group instruction to beginning, intermediate and advanced students interested in the violin, viola, cello and bass.
Here is the remaining Sidewalk Sounds schedule:
July 10 – Columbus Regional Hospital
July 24 – 6th Street Arts Alley in collaboration with the Columbus Arts Council
July 31 – Artcraft Theatre in Franklin (a few Philharmonic Youth Orchestra members)
Aug. 14 – The Commons
Aug. 21 – Johnson County Courthouse lawn in Franklin
Information: thecip.org
