Swingin' Nutcracker

Today, we went to the Swingin' Nutcracker at Orchestra Hall. It was part of the Target Free Family concerts, so if you ever shop at Target, thanks for the tickets. It was awesome!

Things started out in the lobby. They had volunteers helping kids learn about music. We got to look at violins that were demolished. Here, we learned how to play the cello.



Then, we learned about different kinds of jingle bells we might hear during the show.


Finally, we learned how to conduct the orchestra.


We were then ready to rock. The format of the concert was the Minnesota Orchestra would play a bit of the Nutcracker in a traditional form, usually accompanied by classical ballet dancers. Then, the group in the way back, the Orchestra Hall Jazz Ensemble would play a rockin' version of the same song, complete with jazz, swing or tap dancers.


It was pretty cool.

Love,
Ben and Cameron