Twenty years ago, the composer and New York Philharmonic bassist Jon Deak was walking in a Colorado school admiring the beautiful artwork on the walls, made by the students there, when he asked himself a world-changing question: why don’t we know what the music of children sounds like?

Thanks in part to Deak, we now have the opportunity to hear the music of children. The community is invited to attend a concert in celebration of nature and music, hosted by children participating in “River Beats,” a session of Damariscotta River Association (DRA’s) Camp Mummichog. Every note, dynamic, articulation, harmony, and expressive indication has been composed by the children.

There are now 39 “Very Young Composers” programs inspired by Deak, in 12 different countries around the world. The program offered to the community at DRA is the only one in the world that integrates an outdoor, hands-on science and nature program with the Very Young Composers program.

The musical compositions you will hear at this concert have been composed entirely by the young composers ages nine through fourteen with support from music educator Will Healy and intern, Griffin Han-Lalime. These educators join DRA Education Director Sarah Gladu, who teaches the natural history and science elements of the program and directs DRA’s Camp Mummichog.

This year the River Beats camp concert is featuring local musicians Hannah Miller, violin, April Reed-Cox, cello, and Nathan Hillman, viola. Will Healy is filling in on keyboard.