Students in Warren County School District music programs and some members of the community at large got a rare opportunity on Tuesday.
They got to see a Bassoon in the Wild.
"This is part of our community outreach for the Warren County Summer Music School," the school's director, Ann Mead, said.
More than 700 students from middle and high schools district-wide walked or were bused to the theater for a 45-minute performance Tuesday afternoon. Bassoon in the Wild also put on a free performance for the public Tuesday night.
"We like to bring in visiting artists to expose the students to music they've never experienced before - in this case jazz," Mead said.
And a very unusual example of jazz it was.
The bassoon, a four-and-a-half foot long, double-reed woodwind instrument, isn't what most people think of when they talk jazz.
However, bassoonist Michael Rabinowitz wasted no time showing what the instrument could do. He played long, fast, and intricate runs on his opening piece for the students.
Diana Herold on vibraphone, Grisha Alexiev on drums, and Joe Fonda on bass accompanied Rabinowitz.
"We're very excited and very pleased to be able to collaborate with the Logan Wintergarden Series at Penn State Erie," Mead said.
Penn State's Director of Instrumental Ensembles Dr. Gary Viebranz was at the theater Tuesday. "I'm here to enjoy the afternoon and evening performances of Bassoon in the Wild," he said. "They're a fun group - truly unique."
The Warren County Summer Music School is celebrating its 20th year.
The 2009-2010 Arts and Education Program will continue on Nov. 2 with Julius Caesar by DeSales University's "Will Power Tour."
