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The Musical Journeys Program of the Fredonia School of Music has launched a new series of free concerts designed to appeal to very young children. Selected student ensembles from the Fredonia School of Music will perform four, half-hour Children’s Concerts on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. starting Oct. 28 in the multi-purpose room of the Chautauqua County Home, 10836 Temple Road in Dunkirk.

Planned with the help of Fredonia faculty who are experts in music and education, the concerts are designed to introduce very young audiences (from infants to 6 year-olds) to musical instruments. The child-friendly environment will invite the children to sit on the floor close to the musicians. Family members are encouraged to bring blankets or carpet squares to sit on. Strollers can be parked around the edges of the seating area.

“This venue gives preschool children a great chance to get close to the musicians and the music; to really participate and experience music intended just for them,” said Dr. Sarah Hamilton, associate professor of oboe at the Fredonia School of Music.

A woodwind quintet will perform the first concert on Oct. 28. The musicians are Fredonia music students Miranda Giangrosso of Kenmore, N.Y. (flute), Melissa Allio of Pleasantville, Pa. (oboe), Danae Caradonna of North Tonawanda, N.Y. (clarinet), David Payne of Watertown, N.Y. (bassoon), and Glen M. Johnson of Southold, N.Y. (horn).

Other Children’s Concerts will feature a saxophone quartet on Dec. 9, a percussion ensemble on Feb.17, 2007, and a brass ensemble on April 28, 2007.

“Young children enjoy music when they can really see and hear what is happening, and when the program is brief and entertaining.” said Dr. Katherine M. Levy, assistant professor of music at the Fredonia School of Music. “The music students here are wonderful artists, and the Children’s Concerts will give them the opportunity to begin winning over the audiences of the future.”

The Children’s Concert Series is part of the Musical Journeys Program, a community outreach project offered by the Fredonia School of Music.