All About Kamarada Kidz

Who are the Kamarada Kidz performers?

KAMARADA KIDZ is a division of the chamber music ensemble Camarada. Camarada is committed to the creation of concerts for young people with a focus on generating newly commissioned music and producing colorful and inviting performances for children and families. KAMARADA KIDZ concerts have been performed in libraries, community centers, art museums, public and private schools and private homes. In 1998, San Diego composer John Lorge created Critters for narrator and woodwind quintet. Critters is a witty musical piece tailored specifically for children. In 2000, he was commissioned by Camarada to write Quetzelcoatl, based upon a Mexican folk tale, and The Gifted Peacock, which is based on the Aesop Fable of the same title. Both works are featured in the program "A little BIRD told me..." Don Quixote was recently composed by Curtis Glatter for KAMARADA KIDZ.

Kamarada Kidz Concert Offerings

A MUSICAL JOURNEY

Seriously, never a dull moment! The Kamarada Kidz Wind Quartet takes you around the world with sights and sounds. Paired with colorful costume changes, the music travels through Russia, France, Ireland, Africa, China, India, Israel, and Mexico. Kids are asked to imagine what they would compose for morning music or night music, after which we perform music by a French composer in that style. The highlight of the concert is the students learning how to conduct! Kids also learn the names and how to recognize the sound of each instrument, even with their eyes closed. This concert is highly intereactive and fun!

MANY MOONS

MANY MOONS is a magical musical fable for singers and instrumentalists set to the text of James Thurber's novel entitled MANY MOONS. This charming tale involves a princess who asks for the moon to cure her momentary malady. Zany characters such as the King, Wizard, Lord Chamberlain, Lord Mathematician and Court Jester conspire with her. Many Moons takes place "Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea..." The sets and costumes for this production are spectacular. Entertaining for the whole family. Performance time is 45 minutes. Sample video available upon request.

A MUSICAL TALE

This program features a very successful, colorful work by John Lorge entitled CRITTERS for woodwind quintet and narrator, which was commissioned by Camarada in 1998. During the performance of CRITTERS, children are invited to imagine what kind of music they would write for a porcupine, elephant, etc. The CRITTERS quintet is followed by an entertaining, interactive demonstration of woodwind and brass instruments by our narrator Ken Bell. The concert is 45 minutes in length and concludes with the ever popular PETER AND THE WOLF by Prokofiev. CD available upon request.

"A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME..."

This program features two newly commissioned works by John Lorge, THE GIFTED PEACOCK, based on an Aesop Fable, and QUETZELCOATL, THE FEATHERED SNAKE, based on a Mexican folk-tale. These works are written for flute, harp, percussion and narrator. In between these two works there is an entertaining and interactive demonstration of string and woodwind instruments by our narrator Ken Bell. Performance time is 30-45 minutes. CD and video available upon request.

!?!?!WHAT'S THAT SOUND!?!?!?

Have you ever heard a flying dinosaur? What does a little chick hatching from an egg sound like? Is there a special tune that sounds like outer space to you? Beth Ross-Buckley, flute, and Scott Paulson of the Toy Piano Collection at the Geisel Library present a special children's concert featuring a barrage of instruments. This program will allow children the unique opportunity to experience the magic of impersonating the sounds of bird calls from treetops; rocket ships leaving the atmosphere; and other surprising sounds that come from the skies above. Performance time is flexible (30-60 minutes).

Don Quixote (Rides Again)

Take a musical journey with members of San Diego's own Camarada Ensemble as they perform incidental music to a classic story written by Miguel de Cervantes. "Don Quixote (Rides Again)" is a new composition by Curtis Glatter conceived for children's puppet theater and chamber ensemble featuring narrator, flute, oboe and guitar. The "Don Quixote" text is borrowed from the acclaimed children's author Marcia Williams, and Glatter has adapted new music to fit the humorous misadventures of the famous Don Quixote. Join Don Quixote as he gets knighted, battles windmills, and tries to save damsels in distress. Expect the unexpected in this heroic tale of a chivalrous man searching for glory. Performance time is 45 minutes.

Fees

KAMARADA KIDZ program fees range from $250-$3,000. Please contact Camarada at 619-231-3702 or by e-mail for specific fees and available bookings.