Emily Saves the Orchestra

Yesterday we took our daughter, who is seven, and my sister and her daughters, who are seven and eleven, to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (www.atlantasymphony.org) and Platypus Theatre present Emily Saves the Orchestra (www.platypustheatre.com). Why did it need saving? A monster in a bad mood wanted to destroy all music because it gave him a headache. If Emily could help the orchestra play Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, the monster's power over music would be cancelled out. With help from friends and musicians, she learned about rhythm, melody, harmony, tempo, dynamics, and more through selections like Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 6 and No. 9, Grieg’s “Morning Mood” from Peer Gynt, and Pachelbel’s Canon.

Along the way, each type of instrument was spotlighted so Emily and the audience could see what they look and sound like. My oldest niece, recently named first chair of the woodwinds section in her school band, was especially excited to see the clarinets. Our daughter recognized some of the music we have played for her over the years. During the Overture to William Tell, she and her younger cousin “galloped” in their seats. (I felt like cantering after them but reined myself in before embarrassing our group.)

It was a pleasure to introduce the girls to the beauty of a live orchestra (beyond their school field trips), and I’m sure we’ll be going again soon. Last night, as our daughter was praying before bedtime, she said, “And thank you that we got to go see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.” For such a creative, educational, and fun presentation as Emily Saves the Orchestra, I’m thanking Him too.