Musicians continue to formulate ways to communicate during these challenging times. Naturally, Orli Shaham’s “Bach Yard Playdates,” in their live incarnation, have had to be postponed because of COVID-19.
But Shaham has come up with an inventive workaround. Beginning this Sunday at 11 a.m., she will present 10-minute interactive music segments to be streamed on the website of Kaufman Music Center (kaufmanmusiccenter.org) and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube).
“Bach Yard Playdates” are aimed toward kids up through early elementary. Each episode will feature story times, interactive works in which children can participate from home, and selections designed to develop listening skills. Shaham will introduce each episode, and will be joined by guest musicians from Ensemble Connect, The Westerlies, and others for the performances.
The series will begin with Bach and continue with an interactive piece called “Curious Engine,” with music by Beata Moon. Shaham will narrate two original stories: “Dance of the Goat,” with music by Arthur Honegger (and the goat played by Wilden Dannenberg of Ensemble Connect), and “The Trout Family’s New Friend,” with music by Franz Schubert.
The season will run to ten episodes, through June 28. To learn more about “Bach Yard Playdates,” and for more fun musical activities to share with your kids, visit bachyard.org.
A reminder also that Shaham is in the process of sharing tracks from her forthcoming Mozart album, with a new file posted every Wednesday at her website, orlishahammozart.com. It’s an offering she’s dubbed “MidWeek Mozart.” Shaham is in the process of recording all of the Mozart sonatas for the Canary Classics label.