It’s no secret to residents of Central Wisconsin the area boasts a colorful arts community.

This weekend didn’t disappoint as the Waupaca Area Orchestra (WAO) opened its second concert season with a charming rendition of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Overture to Peter and the Wolf,” at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega.

Joining a list of celebrities who have narrated the delightful children’s story put to music in the past, was local folk musician and children’s performer Tom Pease, of rural Amherst.

On Sunday, Nov. 3, Pease and members of the WAO entertained an audience of approximately 70 area children and their adult companions at the historic site that has become the resident home of the orchestra. The Sunday concert followed an adult-oriented performance the previous evening that also featured the highly moving “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, made famous in the movie “Platoon” and Mozart’s complete Symphony No. 40 in G minor.

For many of the youngsters at Sunday’s performance, it was their first introduction to the magic of seeing and hearing woodwinds, strings and brass live and up close.

According to Marguerite Ramlow, her 5-year-old grandson “loved it.”

“Miles was able to follow the story incredibly well … and fell in love with the big bass. He also liked playing with the instruments during intermission,” she said. “The orchestra was fantastic and the choice of Tom Pease was fantastic.”

Instilling a love for symphonic music in children and adults is part of the mission of the WAO, along with giving local musicians an opportunity to come together, refresh and share their talents.

The orchestra is grateful to the Waupaca Area Community Foundation along with the many other donors, sponsors and in-kind volunteers who make such concerts possible.

For more information on how to support the Waupaca Area Orchestra, patrons may refer to its site at wegaarts.org or on Facebook. Area musicians interested in playing in the future should should contact Orchestral Coordinator Emily Sipiorski at 715-412-3368, or by email at [email protected]

Kari Esbensen
Waupaca