March 06, 2006 -

Ottawa (Canada) -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concerts continue its season of Musical Celebrations with a food-themed concert including “Bone Button Borscht*” with guest host Barbara Budd of CBC Radio’s As It Happens, together with host and conductor Boris Brott, Principal Youth and Family Conductor of the NAC Orchestra, and the award-winning Klezmer Band, Beyond the Pale. The concerts take place on Saturday, March 18 at 13:30 and 15:30 in the afternoon.

The concert ticket includes Pre-Concert Activities in the NAC Foyer organized by the NAC Orchestra Association 45 minutes prior to each concert, beginning at 12:45 for the first concert and 14:45 for the second concert. For this concert these include an Ottawa Public Library reading area, an Instrument Petting Zoo featuring the musical instruments that make up the Klezmer family, and activities with the Ottawa Food Bank. In keeping with the concert’s food theme, there will be a Food Drive for the Food Bank, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for collection in the Foyer.

Barbara Budd, co-host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens, and a featured performer on the popular Classical Kids albums, joins Boris and the Orchestra and the “Beyond the Pale” Klezmer Band for this joyous musical feast! She will narrate the tale Bone Button Borscht by Sid Robinovitch, which tells how when a mysterious stranger arrives in a mythical Eastern European village, the townsfolk learn that with a little cooperation, the impossible becomes possible, miracles really can happen, and you might end up with a really fine pot of soup! Beyond the Pale, recent winners of Best Instrumental Ensemble at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, will accompany the narration together with the NAC Orchestra.

The theme of food is front and centre for the entire concert with musical selections including excerpts from Richard Strauss’s Le Bourgeois gentilhomme including “Les Pâtes” (Pastas), “Le Poisson” (Fish), L’Agneau (Lamb) and “L’Omelette (Omelet); “Tea” and “Chocolate” from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, and Leroy Anderson’s Chicken Reel. And to wash it all down, Johann Strauss’s Champagne Polka.

Once again, concertgoers can purchase their own recorders in the NAC Foyer during the pre-concert activities for the low cost of $5 thanks to St. John’s Music, and to register for family recorder clinics at $2 per person presented in partnership with St. John’s Music and Yamaha Canada. Those who bring their recorders will have the opportunity to play along with the NAC Orchestra in Bartók’s “Play Song” from 44 duets for two violins. The simple score for this was handed out at the last YPC and can also be found on the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

All TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concerts feature NACOtron presented in collaboration with Rogers Television. Five television cameras positioned on stage and in the hall capture live video images of the musicians while they are performing, and these images are projected onto a giant screen above the stage allowing the audience to watch the action in close-up.

The Ottawa Citizen is the media partner of the TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concerts.

Tickets for “Bone Button Borscht” on Saturday, March 18 at 13:30 and 15:30, including Pre-Concert Activities, are $17.00 for children and $21.50 for adults (including GST and Facility Fee where applicable) and are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Visit the National Arts Centre’s web site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

*Based on the book Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Used under license from Kids Can Press Ltd. Music by Sid Robinovitch. Text and Music adapted by Barbara Budd.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
jmorris@nac-cna.ca