The first visitors to Ravinia's 2011 season were students from Ravinia's REACH*TEACH*PLAY programs. Close to 2,900 children (K-6) from Chicago and Waukegan public schools came to Ravinia on Tuesday, May 24 to enjoy a performance in the main Pavilion by the Midwest Young Artist Orchestra. The day's program included excerpts from Prokoviev's Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suites which represents this year’s selection for the festival's One Score, One Chicago initiative.
Schools that attended the performance were visited by an ensemble or a pianist during the school year to experience a more intimate and introductory performance of Prokofiev's music. These visits served both as an educational activity and as a prelude to the larger performance by the orchestra at Ravinia. Last week's performance began with presentations by students (K-3) who participated in one of Ravinia's emblematic efforts in Chicago's elementary schools, the Music Discovery Program - a residency based music education program that serves over 2,300 students per year. At the end of the day's concert, students enjoyed lunch on the park's lawn as a way to have the ultimate Ravinia experience.
See photos of their day at Ravinia!