The Orchestra as an Ecosystem

ASO YOUTH CONCERT
Diane Wittry, conductor
Arianna Kohler, narrator
Haley D'Agostino, narrator

Balance is defined as a condition in which various elements are in proper proportion or arrangement. Within an ecosystem, balance is key in maintaining a harmonious interaction among a biological community of interacting organisms and their environment. Balance is also a vital component in music. The Allentown Symphony presents a program for students that will explore the concept of balance in musical orchestration and texture, and among the living parts of an ecosystem. 

Keystone Species in Ecosystems and Music:
Keystone species, like the white-tailed deer, are vital to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. In music, we can find melodies that are just as important to maintaining balance in a piece of music. We call these keystone melodies. In a piece by Aaron Copland, we will hear a keystone melody.

Biodiversity in Ecosystems and Mozart’s Music
Biodiversity helps to maintain balance and stability in an ecosystem. In music, we can also hear biodiversity in the combination of many musical parts. With the collaboration of the Wildlands Concervancy, we explore biodiversity in a local nature preserve ecosystem and in the ways that Mozart combines many melodic lines in the finale of his Symphony No. 41.

Building the Ecosystem from the Bass Line Up
Demonstrating how the Bach Passacaglia in C Minor is composers, students will explore the lower support structures in music and see the similarities of bottom support structures in an ecosystem. They then hear how a musical ecosystem is built from the ground up.

P R O G R A M

JOE JAXSON                                          
Overture for the 21st Century - "Joy of the Soul"               

J.S. BACH  (arr. MacKenzie)          
Passacaglia in C Minor

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA                                   
Fuga Y Misterio                               

AARON COPLAND                             
Variations on a Shaker Melody                                  

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Symphony Number 41, IV. Molto Allegro                                

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Marche Slav Op. 31

TEACHER RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for information about the Composers

CLICK HERE for WildlandsConservancy Program Guide for Grades K-5

CLICK HERE for Food Web Activities

CLICK HERE for Moss and Lichen Packet

CLICK HERE for Guide on Creating Natural Animal Art with your Students

Concert options: 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025 and THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025. Concert times scheduled at 9:30am and 11:30am

Snow Date: Friday, February 21, 2025

NO TICKET CHARGE!

Thanks to the generosity of Local 45 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada*, there is NO CHARGE for Tickets! 

*Who is American Federation of Musicians Local 45?  The organization represents the very finest professional musicians in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley INCLUDING the musicians who play in the Allentown Symphony! 

Early reservations for school groups can be emailed to education@allentownsymphony.org

Narrator Bios

ARIANNA KOHLER
Environmental Education Coordinator, Wildlands Conservancy

Arianna Kohler is the environmental education coordinator at Wildlands Conservancy. She has been with the organization since 2017 and currently oversees the summer camps and scouting programs. From a young age, you could find her outdoors searching for bugs and climbing trees. Her love for animals and the outdoors continued to grow, resulting in a bachelor's degree in earth and environmental sciences. Arianna is passionate about teaching individuals of all ages about the benefits of spending time in nature and connecting with the green spaces throughout the Lehigh Valey, believing that it is never too late to fall in love with the natural world.

HALEY D'AGOSTINO
Wildlife Education and Care Coordinator, Wildlands Conservancy

Haley D’Agostino serves as the Wildlife Education and Care Coordinator at Wildlands Conservancy, where she oversees the organization’s education animal collection. In this role, she ensures the animals’ welfare while utilizing them as ambassadors to inspire public understanding and appreciation of wildlife and conservation.  Haley’s journey with Wildlands Conservancy began during her senior year at Kutztown University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology. Starting as an intern, she gained invaluable experience and steadily advanced through various positions within the organization.  Passionate about fostering diverse perspectives in the field of conservation, Haley draws inspiration from creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world. Her work reflects her dedication to making conservation more inclusive, impactful, and accessible for all.