The Moorestown Library will present a series of four events for children of all ages that will introduce them to various instrument families, funded by a Symphony in C grant from the Moorestown-based D’Olier Foundation.
Established in 1964 by prominent Moorestown Quaker Mabel D’Olier, the private foundation focuses financial support on Quaker organizations and – in South Jersey – groups or government entities that support the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and or stewardship.
D’Olier is best known for her contributions to the township and the Moorestown Friends Meeting. She was a key player in the establishment of the Community House of Moorestown and bequeathed her home, Evergreen Lawn, to Moorestown for the enjoyment of the community in memory of her family. Today, Evergreen Lawn houses an arboretum and Perkins Center for the Arts.
“I think it’s going to be a really great opportunity for the kids to see professional musicians playing right up close,” said librarian Jen Dunne, of the children’s concerts. “That was one of the things that always struck me about these programs, that the kids are just feet away from the musicians, so they really get to see and feel and hear how the whole experience works.”
Symphony in C, founded in 1952 as the Haddonfield Symphony, began as a community orchestra of amateur musicians that performed in Haddonfield and other South Jersey communities. Its mission is to provide the next generations of musicians and composers with performance experiences, and, in engaging with the community, helping them develop skills and experiences for professional success.
The library and Symphony in C have previously partnered on programs for the Moorestown community, so Dunne was happy to see it happen again.
“We’re just really fortunate to benefit from the work that they’ve done to design these programs and then secure the funding to bring them to the library,” she noted. “They’ve been an excellent partner, and we’re so excited to welcome them back to the library. I was pleased that they remembered our partnership from years ago and were interested in working with us again.
“It’s just been such a smooth journey.”
Symphony musicians will give presentations about the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, and will perform various short works to highlight those instruments. After the show, participants will have an opportunity to meet the musicians, ask questions and enjoy the “petting zoo” of instruments they can touch and hold.
Registration is not required. The remaining three children’s programs will be held in March, May and December. For updates, visit the library website.
“I think it is a fantastic way to spark (children’s) interest in music,” Dunne offered, “so that they can see that music is accessible and it’s something that they can do.”
