“Close Encounters” is an exploration of dance, literature, nature and each other through music

OTTAWA, 27, 2016 — On November 7 at 7 p.m. the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra will perform “Close Encounters,” an exciting free side-by-side concert on the newly renovated Southam Hall stage. This hour-long performance will feature 80 young artists from the Nation’s Capital who will explore dance, literature, nature and each other through music.

The combined 125 musicians will perform selections from Beethoven, Borodin, Kabalevsky and Faure for the first time, with Music Director, Alexander Shelley conducting, and News anchor, CBC Ottawa Lucy van Oldenbarneveld who will host the concert.

Orkidstra graduate and OYO clarinettist Peter Perez will also perform Gabriel’s Oboe with dancer Xander Sen from Canterbury Highschool to the choreography of Sioned Watkins from NAC Dance. Dance students from Canterbury High School will accompany the orchestral performance in the whirlwind Polovetsian Dances by Borodin.

 “The students, parents and conductors of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy are very excited and delighted by the invitation of Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra to participate in a side-by-side performance at the National Arts Centre. It has been incredible to see the effect this invitation has had within the OYOA. The place is buzzing with excitement.  After all, the NACO are the musical heroes that these students emulate,” says John Gomez, music director of the OYOA.

This free concert is near capacity and tickets are required. They are available at the following locations:
NAC Satellite Box Office:  54 Elgin Street (at Queen Street) and Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy/Ottawa Technical High School: 485 Donald Street (Saturdays only between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.)

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