Another delightful concert...

While a large percentage of the local population decided to sit down in front of the flat screen to watch an annual American tradition I decided to attend a less tense engagement at the Clark County Library. The Nevada Chamber Symphony did it again with a delightful concert in celebration of children. The annual children's concert did not disappoint for it was rich in pop tunes and children performances including a magic show by the Desert Magician himself Jason Andrews.

The concert began with a wonderful arrangement of well known classics such as the Entrance of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, a protege' of Dvorak, which seemed a fitting beginning to the concert considering what was going on in Miami at that same moment. With narration by the Chamber Symphonies Chairwoman Margaret Trasatti as Master of Ceremonies, including guest narration by children from Ronzone Elementary School; the concert continued with well known pieces such as the theme song to the Pink Panther by Henry Mancini, Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and of course my personal favorite a medley of the theme to Superman which was originally composed by John Williams.

After a brief intermission which included a beautiful collection of romantic songs performed by the Nevada Chamber Symphony Jazz Trio the concert continued. The second half included the the classic by Gioacchino Rossini William Tell, Vienna Forever by Johann Schrammel and to the delight of the audience the Mexican Hat Dance which included a performance by the Ronzone Kindergarten Dance Ensemble. I do have to say these young tykes did a marvelous job doing this traditional dance.

The concert ended with a more American flair with a series of songs that you would normally hear during Independence Day but nonetheless fun to hear in winter. The last five songs included This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie, Star Spangled Spectacular by George Cohan, National Emblem by Edwin Bagley, Start and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa and for a bit of a European flair the last song was the Can-Can by Jacques Offenbach. In the end the concert was a fabulous break from the cool weekend though I can honestly say I was a little disappointed that Maestro Rodolfo Gonzales did not at least include When the Saints Go Marching In.

If you did not get an opportunity to see the concert the next show is March 7 at 3pm at the Clark County Library Theater on East Flamingo. All the concerts are FREE. For more information on the Nevada Chamber Symphony please call 702-433-9280.

Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this link http://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in NvPR's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm