Tiny Tots: Christmas
WELCOME! Children are welcome to move during the program. Feel free to let little ones get up, dance, and participate in the interactive moments, but please remain in your area. Adults are asked to remain seated throughout the program unless you need to take a child out of the space. Do you or your little one have sensory sensitivities? Ask a volunteer to check out a sensory bag! We also have headphones available. Have any questions or concerns? Find a volunteer or staff member in a Tiny Tots or Inside the Orchestra shirt, and we'll be happy to help!
ABOUT US Inside the Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are passionate about the world of the orchestra being a place for everyone. We work to cultivate an inclusive and equitable environment where all children feel welcomed. We have a completely open door policy, providing experiences that are otherwise unavailable to many children, communities, and schools. In-person programs are open to the public and in metro Denver schools. Virtual programs are available around the world.
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www.insidetheorchestra.org
| 2023-2024 SEASON OCEAN ADVENTURE APRIL 2024
April 6 - McNichols Building April 7 - Parker Fieldhouse April 8 - Boettcher Concert Hall April 9 - Mile Hi Community Center
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS JULY 2024 DATES COMING SOON
More info here!
CONDUCTOR Dan Leavitt
Dan has a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Denver. He has been conductor of Tiny Tots for 5 years and arranges many of the pieces we play. He has written over 500 arrangements that are played all over the world. Dan has taught at the University of Colorado Boulder, Metropolitan State University, Colorado Christian University and Cherry Creek High School. He is currently the conductor of the Mercury Ensemble. He has conducted the Colorado Ballet, Colorado Youth Symphony and the Denver Municipal Band. He has performed four times for Presidents of the US. He has recorded with the Colorado Symphony, The Boulder Brass, Rare Silk, and can be heard on Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman by Joan Tower. He has a passion for conducting, performing, composing, and music education.
TEACHING ARTIST
Iliana Lucero Barron with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Iliana Lucero Barron is a bilingual, Latinx teaching artist, creative, and advocate. Since her introduction to the stage, Iliana has gone on to perform in a variety of works with several theatres in Colorado such as: Northside (Su Teatro), The Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (The Denver Center for the Performing Arts), One Night, Six Plays (5280 Artist Co-op), Fever Dream Festival (Benchmark Theatre),etc! Beyond performance, Iliana has worked with multiple organizations, focusing on educational programming for children and youth, creative exploration, collaboration, and DEIA.
SINGER
Chloe Scull with Central City Opera
Chloe Scull is a locally grown soprano with a passion for outreach work. She has worked throughout Colorado largely with small and immersive opera companies that focus on bringing music to communities that may otherwise have fewer opportunities to experience classical music and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come.
THANK YOU TO OUR CULTURAL PARTNERS AND PERFORMERS
MUSICIANS VIOLIN
CELLO
Byron Hitchcock Takanori Sugishita Lionel Young Kathy Thayer Désirée Suàrez Ward Robyn Sosa Beth Greenberg Mary Evans Jackson Bailey Margaret Gutierez Evan De Long
Wayne Templeman Jennifer Fouse Anna Leavitt Jeff Watson
Deborah Torp
BASS
HORN
VIOLA
OBOE
James Shaw Lora Stevens Sarah Richardson
BASSOON
Mike Fitzmaurice Ron Bland Andy Holmes Jason Thompson
FLUTE
TRUMPET Derek McDonald Patrick Tillery Devon Park Ron Torp Sue McCullough Sarah Ford
TROMBONE
Olga Shilaeva Kathryn Simpson
CLARINET
Mary Jungerman
Justis Williams Dan Watt
TUBA
Mike Dunn
PERCUSSION Peter Cooper
Our professional musicians are members of the Denver Music Association, a local union chapter of the American Federation of Musicians. We are committed to supporting professional musicians with fair compensation.
Listen to music from Tiny Tots here
Continue learning about orchestra music! Find our Learning Resources here
PROGRAM NOTES Feliz Navidad was written and recorded in 1970 by Puerto Rican singersongwriter José Feliciano. Dance along with us as we get into the Christmas spirit! Christmas Goodies Sing-Along: Chloe from Central City Opera joins to lead us in singing some of our favorite Christmas Carols: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas! I Want a Tenor Saxophone for Christmas is a twist on John Rox‘s 1953 song, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas, sung by a then 10-year old Gayla Peevey. Chloe can‘t settle for just one instrument, though! ‘Twas the Night Before the Christmas Concert-this is the world premiere of the Tiny Tots musical story telling of Clement Moore‘s 1823 poem, Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas. Listen for some familiar carols, and keep your eye out for a special guest! Mi Burrito Sabanero or My Little Donkey from Bethlehem was written in 1972 by Venezuelan songwriter Hugo Blanco. Little ones are welcome to get up and dance! The Grinch Song was first heard in the 1966 animated animated special, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.“ This version features bass trombone. Fantasia on Greensleeves-this orchestral fantasy is based off of the 16th century song. The tune first became associated with Christmas in 1685, and the lyrics for What Child is This? were added in 1871. Five Instruments of Christmas-This is a Tiny Tots twist on The Twelve Days of Christmas, an English carol that originated in the late 18th century. What’s better than a partridge in a pear tree? Jazzy trumpets, big string basses, and more! Christmas Cookies-This toe-tapping song was originally recorded in 1999 by George Strait. Dance with us as we express our love of cookies through music! Can you spot anyone else around you who loves cookies, too?
Carol of the Bells, also called the Ukrainian Christmas Carol is based on a melody by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. Pretend your body is a bell for this piece. Sleigh Ride-This holiday favorite by Leroy Anderson features a special guest performer: Bryon Connoly from Circus Foundry, also known as our Elf on a Shelf! All arrangements made for Tiny Tots by Dan Leavitt
Rates range from $175-$1,500
YOUR BUSINESS HERE!
info@insidetheorchestra.org 303-355-7855
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Holiday shopping? Visit our Merchandise Table or scan the QR code for amazing experience gifts, instruments, activity books, and more!