Drawn to the Music
NH Phil Orchestra members and staff,
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I had the pleasure of attending the Drawn to the Music concert tonight (where I had over 200 students' artwork featured), but it was truly an honor to hear the premiere of the new orchestral work composed Tim Cohen, entitled "Old Man of the Mountain." Tim's modest delivery of his narration depicting the history of the former landmark was just perfect. Before we listened, I am glad he explained how based his melody off a six note theme - "OLDMAN" - which my ears delighted finding the ways he toyed with this melody throughout. My music teacher geekiness was just captivated. I also fondly remember visiting the famed Old Man as a child, and remember feeling modest loss when he met his fate. This piece truly made me smile and reminisce in my own childhood as well as tell his story anew through the music. Brava!
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I highly suggest if it all possible professionally recording this piece as it is something I'd so enjoy sharing with all of my students!
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Yours,
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NH Elementary Music Teacher
March 2019
Drawn to the Music is a collaborative arts project in which students listen to great works of western art music and create original illustrations in response. The resulting artwork (at least 150 images will be selected) will be scanned and projected above the orchestra during their performance of the piece.
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Since Drawn to the Music began in 2008, schoolchildren in grades K - 6 from schools across southern and central New Hampshire have submitted nearly 4000 illustrations. Participating students have created unique, illustrated versions of Stravinsky’s Firebird, Prokofiev’s Cinderella, Adams’ The Chairman Dances, Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and Ravel’s Mother Goose. In 2019, students were invited to illustrate a selection of pieces all of which fall under the theme exploring the beauty of the earth through music.
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NH Philharmonic Orchestra Presents Drawn to the Music - The Planets 2025
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The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra is excited to present Drawn to the Music with an astronomical theme, featuring Gustav Holst’s iconic The Planets. This interactive concert invites students to explore the cosmic and mythological inspiration behind Holst’s popular symphonic suite, creating their own visual interpretations of each planet. As the orchestra performs the suite’s seven movements—each depicting the character and mood of a different planet—student artwork will accompany the performance, offering a dynamic blend of music and visual art. This collaborative experience is designed to inspire young artists and immerse audiences in a unique fusion of sound and creativity.
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In addition to The Planets, the Philharmonic will present Mason Bates’ The B Sides, a modern symphonic work that fuses classical orchestration with electronic elements. Students will again be invited to let their imaginations soar, drawing inspiration from Bates’ depiction of futuristic spacewalks and otherworldly landscapes. Drawn to the Music provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to engage with music in a deeply personal way, offering two afternoon performances on April 12 and 13 at 2:00 p.m. Join us for this extraordinary event where music and art come together to explore the mysteries of the universe.
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Students, parents and teachers will check in at will-call upon arrival at the venue, Seifert Performing Arts Center, to receive free entrance to the concert.
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Teachers, registration is closed. Please consider signing up for next years Drawn program.
​For more information, please contact Toni DeGennaro toni@nhphil.org or (603) 785-8770.