Symphony show 'spurs' a good time

NORWALK – The Firelands Symphony Orchestra invites local families to attend a free western-themed concert. The annual show is open to all ages and will be held on Sunday, January 14 at the Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center. The performance will begin at 4 p.m., with free children and family activities before the show at 3 p.m. Activities include hands-on musical activities like making instruments, coloring, a bean bag toss, instrument displays, lasso activities, and a real saddle photo booth. The FSO encourages attendees to embrace the Western theme and wear boots, hats, plaid shirts, and any other Western style clothing. "We've done this for several years and we've had a lot of success," executive director Ron Brooker said. "It gives a chance for families to come out and have this type of fun time." The concert will feature the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Carl Topilow. The concert will have family-friendly programming with a western and cowboy theme from film, orchestra, and popular culture. "For a lot of these kids it's their first time hearing live music with a symphony orchestra, so that's always cool," Brooker said. "We always try and have a theme, and this year it's a western theme so all the tunes we're playing will be centered around that and some of the classic western tunes that shaped us through TV and films." Pieces in the program include William Tell Overture, Pops Hoedown, Theme from The Magnificent Seven, Old MacDonald, Cowboys Overture, Sandpaper Ballet, Orange Blossom Special, Syncopated Clock, and Hoedown from Rodeo. While the concert is free and open to the public, free-will donations will be accepted. Parking is available at the venue at Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center, which is located at Norwalk High School. "Hopefully it will spur the kids to make them want to come to another concert sometime," Brooker said. "So it's a bit of an audience development thing for us as well. But it's the best thing, watching these little kids come for the first time and enjoy the activities and the music."