2004 Family Music Fair presented with new twist

 Super Bowl Sunday in Houston was also a Super Sunday in Jackson. On Feb. 1, hundreds of area music lovers crowded into Jackson High School for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra’s 8th Annual Music Festival and Fair.

The school’s parking lot may have resembled some frozen football tundra, but inside the weather was warm, the participants friendly, the educational opportunities plentiful and the musical presentations enjoyable. Throughout the afternoon, music ranged from folk guitar and banjo, to hot jazz and cool blues, with ample classical music.

Kids and adults could participate in more than two dozen demonstrations and activities. Exhibits such as “Be the Conductor,” “Kitchen Band” and a wide variety of instrument demonstrations offered everyone the opportunity to experiment, learn and have fun.

The principal performance of the day was by members of the JSO playing Joseph Haydn’s “Farewell” (Symphony No. 45) while author Anna Harwell Celenza narrated from her book, “The Farewell Symphony,” which describes actual events leading up to Haydn’s composition. Professor Celenza, a musicologist at Michigan State University, has written several books designed to expose children to classical music. Combining themes of music and literacy was a new element for the fair this year.

Scott Clow of News/Talk 970 WKHM was emcee of the “Auditorium Performances,” which included appearances by the JSO, Jackson Youth Symphony, Jackson Chorale, Jackson High School Jazz Ensemble, Mojo Phoenix, The Jackson Banjo Club, Witness 4, Jackson Area School Choirs, poetry contest winners and Ronald McDonald, who  delivered door prizes. More than 90 volunteers, including 40 Guild members, donated their time to make this event happen.

Sponsors for the Family Music Festival & Fair are: the Jackson Symphony Guild, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Jackson County Intermediate School District, Jackson Area McDonald’s Restaurants, Baker College and News/Talk 970 WKHM.

Two of Celenza’s books – “The Farewell Symphony” and “The Heroic Symphony” with CD included – are available at the JSO office for $20 each.