A new generation of listeners calls for new orchestral work for young ears.
Round River Productions invites you to be part of its creation.
 
 
The Program
The Artistic Team
Details
Contact
 
 
     
 
Join award-winning artists Bill Harley and Paul Phillips in a consortium initiative orchestral works for Youth and Family Concerts. With six original songs and two stories by Bill Harley and orchestration by Paul Phillips, this complete program will delight children and their parents and provide an exciting introduction to the world and sounds of orchestral music.
 
   
 

Compositions planned for this program include six of Harley’s most popular songs for families and two longer stories – a new take on the beloved tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and, an original musical tale, Come On Out and Play, about a persistent bear and the forest of animals he convinces to make music.

Approximate timings:

Come on Out and Play (15')*
There’s A Pea on My Plate (4')*
You’re in Trouble (5')*
Jack and the Beanstalk (15')
Everything is Music (5')
I’m Busy (3')
Sittin’ Down To Eat (4')
Dad Threw The TV Out The Window (4')

* Orchestrated CD demo available.

2 2 2 2 – 2 2 1 0 timpani/percussion (2 players) piano strings
(Flute 2 doubles piccolo, Clarinets in A and B flat,Trumpets in B flat)

This is a consortium commission, so your orchestra will be credited with a co-commission along with all the other participating orchestras.
 
   
 

Bill Harley and Paul Phillips are in a unique position to create innovative and lasting work for new audiences.
Harley is a storyteller, songwriter, and author who has spent his life working with children and family audiences, earning the accolade “a Garrison Keillor for kids.” A two-time Grammy winner for his spoken word recordings for children, he has produced thirty recordings, ten children’s books, and given thousands of performances nationwide. Harley’s work in the orchestra world includes three years as narrator and host for the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s family series, creating stories, narration and interpretation for their musical programs, including Scheherazade, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. A regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered, and featured in an hour-long 2008 PBS special, his work spans the generation gap, combining song and story, humor and meaning.
Phillips, Director of Orchestras and Chamber Music at Brown University, has composed extensively for the concert stage, theatre, television and film, including music for the 2009 motion picture Hachiko. He has received composition awards from the American Music Center, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and New England String Ensemble, and conducting prizes in Austria, Holland and the US, including nine ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. As Youth Concert Conductor of the Maryland Symphony and a frequent All-State Orchestra conductor, he has worked extensively with student musicians and audiences, and as a guest conductor, has led over sixty orchestras, opera and ballet companies worldwide, including the San Francisco Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra and Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
Combining their talent and experience, their collaboration offers a new approach to programming for families.
 
   
   
 

Participating orchestras will receive:

  • Co-commissioning credit
  • One educational or family concert with Bill Harley as guest artist

Waiver of music rental fees for first performance or set of performances

Additional options:

  • Flexible programing choices could include Peter and the Wolf, Young Person’s Guide, etc
  • Extra performances
  • Rights to world, regional or state premiere
  • Hiring Paul Phillips as guest composer-conductor
  • Recording collaboration for a commercial CD release

Travel and lodging expenses for guest artist(s) are not included. Additional
performances will be negotiated in good faith.

Program will be available for bookings beginning in 2010.
 
   
   
 

To participate in this consortium please contact:

Round River Productions
Debbie Block
301 Jacob St
Seekonk, MA 02771
info@billharley.com
508-336-9703 * 800-682-9522