The Diablo Symphony is bringing familiar and sometimes surprising members of the animal kingdom to life on Sunday, June 19, at 2:00 at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Come with the whole family to discover animals hidden in the orchestra, the music and maybe even the audience—animal costumes are encouraged!
Pianists Julian Fong and Kirsten West join the orchestra in The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, a humorous look at familiar animals, fish, and birds—and a special kind of human! Fong, a member of the DSO’s cello section, earned a piano performance degree at the Royal Conservatory of Music and has performed as piano soloist with the Seattle Philharmonic. West earned a Master of Music degree in piano from the University of Redlands and a diploma in performance at the Geneva Conservatory of Music. She maintains a private studio in Pleasant Hill. Greg Brown the joins the orchestra as saxophone soloist in Henry Mancini’s Pink Panther Theme, a collaboration that will have audience members snapping their fingers to the beat. Jazz programs developed by Brown during a 24-year tenure at Northgate High School have inspired countless students and received recognition at prestigious jazz festivals. Even more interesting creatures will be found in music composed by Howard Shore for the Lord of the Rings film series.
A contest for poems to introduce the animals in Saint-Saëns’ suite is currently being held and all are invited to submit a poem inspired by the music. Visit the DSO’s website for contest details, a list of animals that need a poem and a link to a performance of the suite’s movements.
Advance tickets are available at the Lesher Center Box Office, by phone to 925-943-7469, or online at https://www.diablosymphony.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. Full vaccination is required for ages 12 and above, and masks are required for ages 2 and above, for attendees at Lesher Center events. Contact the Lesher Center for requirements in place on the concert date.