The String Thing | National Symphony Orchestra Music for Young Audiences

Step right up to this daring double act of classical fun! Bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written. You’ll never hear a word out of them during the concert, but with instruments in hand and a trunk full of gags, this “silent” comedic tag-team presents a hilarious program of music and mayhem. For more information and education content around this show, please visit https://www.kennedy-center.org/thestringthing. About the Show: Meet Heather and Paul. They are friends who like to have fun and tease each other. They also happen to love playing music together on their string instruments. Heather plays the violin and Paul plays the double bass (we’ll call it the bass for short). Watch how they have a great time in ways that go with the music. During the show, Heather and Paul never say a word. They communicate using costume pieces (like hats and goofy glasses) and objects (like signs). They also use mime—silently communicating through different looks on their faces and body movements. The only sound you’ll hear is amazing music, and lots of it. During the performance, listen for the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” A famous composer (a person who writes music) named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (MO-tzart) wrote changes called variations for the main melody, or theme. At the end of the performance, you’ll hear music you might have heard before because it’s been used in movies, cartoons, and TV shows. The music is called the William Tell Overture, and it helps tell the story of a hero rallying his army against an enemy. Can you imagine the troops charging? Subscribe to The Kennedy Center! http://bit.ly/2gNFrtb #stringthing #nationalsymphonyorchestra #classicalmusic