Billings Symphony presents free family concert ‘The Composer is Dead’

    The Billings Symphony, under the baton of Maestra Anne
Harrigan, presents the hilarious whodunit “The Composer is Dead,”
on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Alberta Bair Theater, 2801 Third
Avenue North. As part of Explore Music!, the Symphony’s music
education and community engagement program, two matinee
performances of the free concert are scheduled for 11 am. and 12:30
pm. No ticket is required. Doors open approximately a half hour
prior to each performance, and admission is first-come,
first-seated.

    Originally commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony with
music by Nathaniel Stookey, “The Composer is Dead,” is adapted from
the book written by Lemony Snicket. The story follows an inspector
who is trying to get to the bottom of a mystery while teaching
about the instruments in a symphony orchestra.

    Actor Tim Marrone brings the story to life on stage with the
Billings Symphony Orchestra. Giggles and belly laughs are sure to
erupt as the inspector questions each family of the
orchestra.

    As one of the more visible components of Explore Music!, the
Billings Symphony’s Annual Free Family Concert has evolved from a
one-day event to the culmination of ongoing outreach efforts to
schools and after-school sites to inspire children to learn through
classical music. In the months leading up to and following the
concert, musicians tie the music of the concert in with the Montana
Standards of Education in areas of language arts and social studies
through one of the other 14 programs of Explore Music!, reaching
nearly 30,000 people this year.

    Direct inquiries to the Symphony office at 406-252-3610 or
visit www.billingssymphony.org.

© 2012 Laurel Outlook. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.