Join us for Once Upon An Orchestra! This free, public family concert series invites multigenerational families to join Louisville Orchestra ensembles for fun, interactive storytelling through music performances at every library branch across Metro Louisville. Prior to each performance, LO staff will lead a craft activity using recycled materials – and audience members can play their homemade instruments during the show! No RSVP is required, and reading the book before attending is always encouraged but not necessary!
Presented free, each branch will host one of six unique family programs that weave music and storytelling together in an interactive experience. Louisville Orchestra musicians perform original music created around familiar and beloved children’s books. The hour-long experiences include a 30-minute small ensemble performance preceded by a hands-on activity to build a musical instrument from recycled materials, so everyone can play along.
For “Once Upon An Orchestra,” composers from the LO Creators Corps have developed original musical scores to accompany a number of beloved children’s books, including Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In addition, this year’s series features two new composition – Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson.
The musically enhanced storytelling leans into one of the key programs of the LFPL, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge. This Library program encourages all families and caregivers to read at least 1000 books with their preschool-age children to build the vocabulary and language skills needed for success in school.
Co-presented by the Louisville Orchestra and the Louisville Free Public Library, “Once Upon An Orchestra” is funded with support from Louisville Metro Government.
The award-winning If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time and has been reimagined as part of the LO’s Once Upon An Orchestra series. This interpretation told by a woodwind quintet which features a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon and french horn is lively, upbeat and fun for the whole family. Score arranged/composed by 2023-24 LO Creators Corps composer, Alex Berko.
Activity: Cookie Shaker
While bear slumbers through a long winter, his friends take refuge in his cave during a winter storm. Bear remains in a deep sleep while animal friends start a fire, make tea, pop corn, sing, and dance. When he finally wakes up, he’s surprised to find his cave full of uninvited guests who’ve been having a party without him! Told by a bass and cello, you will be sure to hear deep snoring sounds throughout the story. Score arranged/composed by 2023-24 LO Creators Corps composer, Tanner Porter.
Activity: Snore Straw
Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night… through the library’s book drop! Join a string quartet (two violins, viola, cello) as they help tell this story along with bunny drums made by the audience. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Bunny Drum
Meet Llama, the next great picture-book megastar, who has most definitely driven a bus and who loves tacos way more than you. He also loves cake, and that’s where our story begins. This funny story is told through familiar tunes performed by a woodwind quintet which features a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, and french horn. Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Llama Puppet
A violin and viola reimagine the famous story of that very hungry caterpillar. With interactive elements throughout the story, the youngest members of the audience will make music as we watch the caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly. If there is time, the audience can help create the story of the butterfly! Score arranged/composed by 2022-23 LO Creators Corps composer, TJ Cole.
Activity: Caterpillar Shaker
TJ Cole was a creator during our 2022-2023 season. During their time with us they composed scores for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Llama Destroys The World, and Bunny's Book Club for string quartets, woodwind quintets, and a violin and viola duo.
Tanner Porter was a creator during our 2023-2024 season. During her time with us she composed the Bear Snores On for a bass and cello.
Alex Berko was a creator during our 2023-2024 season. During his time with us he composed the beloved children's book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie for a woodwind quintet which features clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon and french horn.
