River Beats Family Concert (get tickets here)

Join the DRA in an extraordinary celebration of nature and music. The music is composed by children from the DRA Camp Mummichog session called “River Beats.” Every note, dynamic, articulation, harmony, and expressive indication has been decided by the kids. The music will be played by a quartet of professional musicians assembled specifically for this program: April Reed-Cox, Mary Jo Carlsen, Linda Vaillencourt and Steve Karp.

20 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?

Through the programs he has created, now we know. There are now 39 “Very Young Composers” programs in 12 difference countries around the world. The program offered to the community at the DRA is the only one in the world that integrates an outdoor, hands-on science and nature program with the Very Young Composers program – and we are thrilled to bring this performance to you. 

The musical compositions you will hear at this concert have been composed entirely by the young composers ages nine through twelve with support from music educator Will Healy and Intern (and local strings instructor), Hannah Miller. These educators joined DRA Education Director Sarah Gladu, who teaches the natural history and science elements of the program and directs DRA’s Camp Mummichog.

The DRA is greatly appreciative of our community sponsors that make this program possible: Newcastle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Viper and Lincoln Academy.