October 02, 2006 -

Ottawa (Canada) -- This season’s series of four TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra is a celebration of the orchestra family, with each concert focussing on a different section of the orchestra. The first of these on Saturday, October 7 at 13:30 and 15:30 in the afternoon, entitled “Musical Celebrations”, puts the spotlight on the brass section, and shows how we use music to rejoice on all kinds of special occasions. These range from sporting events to great victories to birthdays and holidays, in particular Thanksgiving and Diwali. Juno Award-winning singer Kiran Ahluwalia will help celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights. Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott will be on the podium for “Musical Celebrations”, as well as all the other concerts of the series.

The bilingual programme for kids 5 and up, and their grown-up friends features music by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Copland and Handel, and includes plenty of audience participation led by members of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, as well as the opportunity for a lucky audience member to conduct the NAC Orchestra.

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. There will be a brass instrument petting zoo with members of the Governor General’s Foot Guards in full uniform. Community partners for this concert also include the Ottawa Public Library and the Embassy of India, and there will be a display and activities with volunteers from the Ottawa Food Bank. Concertgoers are invited to bring a donation of non-perishable food or cash to the Foyer for collection by the Food Bank.

Kiran Ahluwalia is an Indo-Canadian singer who has devoted much of her life to learning the art of Indian vocal music. Since winning the 2004 Juno Award for Best World Music, she has been receiving international acclaim. With her hit song “Koka”, Kiran will help celebrate Diwali, the most popular festival in Indian which, like Canadian Thanksgiving, takes place in October. Other celebratory music includes the French national anthem La Marseillaise, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare, the Colonel Bogey March and the Overture to Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks.

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 “Musical Celebrations” on Saturday, October 7 at 13:30 and 15:30, including Pre-Concert Activities, are $15.88 for children and $22.88 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.

Subscriptions for the four-concert TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concert series, including a special Family-of-Four pack, are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca