Tell Me a Story spotlights children's literature and features Carthage student conductors

The Carthage Music Department kicks off its 2011-12 season with the annual Patio Pops Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. The Carthage Wind Orchestra and Concert Band will perform Tell Me a Story on the patio between Hedberg Library and the A. F. Siebert Chapel. The concert will feature three works for narrator and band, each setting a reading of a children's literary classic with musical accompaniment.

Opening the concert is The Bremen Town Musicians, narrated by President F. Gregory Campbell. President Campbell is beginning his 25th year as President of Carthage, and is being saluted throughout the year for his vision and work to strengthen all aspects of the College.

Hans Christian Anderson's The Steadfast Tin Soldier follows next on the program, and is an extended, 30-minute setting by British composer Keith Amos. Several Carthage students will share the podium to conduct this work, which will be narrated by Director of Bands James Ripley.

The program will close with four of Aesop's Fables, again conducted by music education students at Carthage.

Students conducting during the concert will be: Thomas Battersby, '13; Nate Larsen, '12; Matt Maccari, '12; Kyle Miskovic, '13; Greg Schroeder, '12; and Samantha Whalen, '13, all of Kenosha; Michael Becker, '12, from St. Louis; and Tyler Zumbrock, '13, from Antioch, Ill.

This concert is intended to entertain a wide audience, and children are encouraged to bring their parents and grandparents. Admission to the concert is free. Audience members are reminded to bring lawn chairs, as there are only a limited number of chairs in the café area of the patio. Parking is not allowed on Campus Drive for this event, so as to allow for seating and secure access on the east side of the road.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in A. F. Siebert Chapel.