by Mike Telin

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon on a family outing with Mom this weekend what could be better taking in a Cleveland Orchestra Family Concert? On Sunday, May 12 beginning at 2:00 pm conductor Michael Butterman makes a return visit to Severance Hall with his own program titled Fables, Fantasies and Folklore.

During the concert, audience members will be invited to create their own musical story. “It’s really just an exploration of narrative and music, [basically] how composers develop a sense of character, setting and plot,” says Maestro Butterman.

Recognized for his commitment to creative artistry, innovative programming, and audience and community engagement, Michael Butterman serves as music director for both the Boulder Philharmonic and the Shreveport Symphony and is resident conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony. And for thirteen seasons he has held the position as Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach for the Rochester Philharmonic, the first position of its kind in the United States.

Butterman created Fables, Fantasies and Folklore in Rochester and he describes the concert as something that works very well for elementary age kids who are thinking about their own creative writing, and studying English language arts. But, he points out, “we are also doing it on Mother’s Day which is about parents and kids having a good time. [Read more…]