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Little Orchestra Society's Lolli-Pops to Present MEET THE MAESTRO, 3/2-3

The Little Orchestra Society (LOS) presents MEET THE MAESTRO on Saturday, March 2, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Sunday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th St. between Park and Lexington Aves.).

A conductor brings everyone in the orchestra together. Meet the person with the baton and see how gestures shape the music, as guest conductor André Raphel leads the orchestra in works by Beethoven, Strauss, Ravel and others. Children become conductors, learning the basics and helping to lead the orchestra with their own glow stick batons! The program is directed and choreographed by Annette Jolles.

MEET THE MAESTRO (recommended for ages 3-5)
ANDRÉ RAPHEL, GUEST CONDUCTOR

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013, 10:00 A.M. AND 11:30 A.M.
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2013, 1:00 P.M. AND 2:30 P.M.

P.D.Q. BACH - Echo Sonata for Two Unfriendly Groups of Instruments
BEETHOVEN - "Molto vivace" from Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
IBERT - "Parade" from Divertissement
STRAUSS - Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
DVO?ÁK - "Largo" from Symphony No. 9: From the New World
SHOSTAKOVICH - "Allegro con brio; Presto" from Piano Concerto No. 1
McDONALD - "Allegro Moderato" from Children's Symphony
RAVEL - Bolero
WALTON - Popular Songs from Façade Suite
SOUSA - Washington Post March
ROSS and DIXON - Lollipop

Performances are at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues). Single tickets: $15 (rear balcony/rear orchestra) or $45 (front balcony/front orchestra); available by calling 212/971-9500 or at littleorchestra.org or call The Kaye Playhouse box office at 212/772-4448.

Join the Conductor's Circle to receive exclusive privileges. Benefits include: best seating in the concert hall, concierge ticketing, invitations backstage to meet the guest conductors and artists, and two complimentary tickets to an LOS performance. Conductor's Circle membership helps to keep music in the lives of thousands of New York City public school students through LOS's music education and public service programs. Please call the development office at 212/971-9500 for more information.

The Little Orchestra Society's new website serves as the gateway to its live magical and musical experiences. Parents and children can find activities, games, chats and other materials surrounding Little Orchestra Society concerts at any time through the LOS Kids section of www.littleorchestra.org.

In the Lolli-Pops series (recommended for ages 3-5) the programs introduce young children to the basic elements of music, and incorporate dance, music and visual art with the help of characters who each represent one of the four families of the orchestra. At every Lolli-Pops concert, children actively participate in the program and also receive musical instruments or educational materials to take home. Preparatory and follow-up activities are sent via email to all concert attendees. The Lolli-Pops series was originally created by the Orchestra's late Music Director, Dino Anagnost. The series is directed and choreographed by Annette Jolles.

About André Raphel, Guest Conductor: André Raphel has established a reputation as an exciting and versatile conductor through innovative programming, a commitment to American music, and fresh interpretations of the standard repertoire. Described by the New York Times as "An agile, demonstrative conductor who is physically drawn into the music," Mr. Raphel is currently in his tenth season as Music Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. He has led the Orchestra in commissioned works by Richard Danielpour, Jennifer Higdon, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and in June 2013 leads the world premiere of a new work by Kenneth Fuchs.

Mr. Raphel enjoys an active career as a guest conductor. During the 2012-13 season, he conducts the Oregon Symphony and leads the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston. Last season he made a successful debut with the Detroit Symphony and recorded with the Bamberg Symphony in Germany. Mr. Raphel has appeared with most of the major American orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.

André Raphel made his European debut in 2005 with the Neubrandenburger Philharmonie, and returned to Europe during the 2006-07 season to lead the Moravska Philharmonie. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1997, leading Robert Shaw (as narrator in "A Lincoln Portrait") and the Orchestra of St. Luke's in a concert celebrating the centennial of legendary mezzo-soprano Marian Anderson.

Mr. Raphel served as an Assistant Conductor to Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic for two years. He was Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra for six years, where he worked closely with Wolfgang Sawallisch. Prior to his appointment in Philadelphia, Mr. Raphel served for three years as Assistant Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony where he worked with Leonard Slatkin.

Mr. Raphel has an active interest in audience development. During his tenure with the Saint Louis Symphony, he served as Music Director of the orchestra's "In Unison" program. His commitment to education is reflected in his work at leading universities and conservatories. He has led the Juilliard Orchestra, New World Symphony, and University of Maryland Orchestra, among others.

Born André Raphel Smith in Durham, North Carolina, he began formal music lessons at age 11. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami, and pursued further study at Yale University where he earned his Master's Degree. While at Yale, he studied conducting with Otto-Werner Mueller, continuing those studies at The Curtis Institute of Music where he earned a Diploma in conducting, and at The Juilliard School where he was awarded the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship and received an Advanced Certificate in orchestral conducting.

Mr. Raphel is the recipient of numerous honors and awards which attest to his artistry. In 2010, the Philadelphia Orchestra issued a special commemorative CD featuring William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1 with Mr. Raphel conducting. He also received the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" from the North Carolina Senate. The award, presented annually, is the state's highest honor for a civilian.

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