We’re all familiar with the famous Longfellow quote, “Music is the universal language.” On April 6, Heidelberg University School of Music & Theatre professors Carol Dusdieker (soprano) and Cynthia Ramsdell (piano) will embellish the quote to “Music is the universal language for all ages” in their Children’s Concert at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6, in Brenneman Music Hall.
The idea for the children’s concert, according to Dusdieker, stems from her own young children, ages 3 and 5. “Every year, I’ve done a recital and they’ve never been able to come,” she explained. “So we wanted to do an all-inclusive concert that will delight the youngest listeners to the oldest concert goers – a concert that children can enjoy sitting next to their grandparents.”
With a wonderful array of children’s literature to choose from, Dusdieker decided to incorporate a musical setting for “Alice in Wonderland” poems for one part of the program. That set will feature “Lobster’s Quadrille,” “The Little Crocodile,” “Jabberwocky,” “The Duchess’ Lullaby,” “The Queen of Hearts” and “The Serpent.”
Another set will feature “Aesop’s fables modernized” with repertoire by composer Irving Fine. In “Childhood Fables for Grown-ups,” the audience will meet a polar bear, a tiger, a leopard, a frog and a snake, two little worms and a duck and a yak.
The third set is based on the works of American modernist composer Charles Ives, who wrote frequently about community and family. Included will be “Songs My Mother Taught Me,” “To Edith,” “The Things Our Fathers Loved” and “Two Little Flowers.”
The concert will last approximately 45 minutes. It is free and open to the public.