Beautiful seasonal music will ensure that everyone is in a mood to celebrate winter at the third TD Bank Group ‘Family Adventures with the National Arts Centre Orchestra’ concerts of the 2011-12 season. Winter Wonderland  – with the National Arts Centre Orchestra conducted by Boris Brott -- takes place on Saturday February 18, 2012 in Southam Hall of the NAC at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Each bilingual performance lasts approximately 60 minutes.

From The Skater’s Waltz to favourites from The Nutcracker, experience a musical journey that will transform Southam Hall’s stage into a sparkling winter wonderland. Special guests for this concert include choreographer Merrilee Hodgins and students from The School of Dance, violinist Tara-Louise Montour, and Bangers & Smash, a high-energy percussion duo featuring Kenneth Simpson and Jonathan Wade.

View close-up action on the giant NACOtron screen, presented in collaboration with Rogers TV. ‘Family Adventures with the National Arts Centre Orchestra’ concerts offer dazzling performances, fun-filled audience participation, and entertaining storytelling. This unique 4-concert series -- ideal for ages 5 to 105 -- is a great way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon.

TUNETOWN: Pre-Concert Activities
Pre-concert activities organized by the Friends of the NAC Orchestra begin 45 minutes prior to each concert. They include:
• Traditional Inuit music performed by students of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut training program
• A winter-themed book display by the Ottawa Public Library
• Interactive musical activities by Music for Young Children
• Woodwind instrument “Petting Zoo” presented by Musicians from the Regimental Band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards
• Craft station: Inukshuk
• Order of Canada information station

This series is made possible in part by the National Arts Centre Foundation’s National Youth and Education Trust. Now celebrating its eleventh year, the Trust is supported by Founding Partner TELUS, Sun Life Financial, Michael Potter, supporters and patrons of the annual NAC Gala, and the donors of the NAC Foundation’s Corporate Club and Donors’ Circle.

Winter Wonderland will be performed in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday February 18, 2012 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $21.52 for adults, $12.91 for children, and $53.80 for a family of four. Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website www.nac-cna.ca.

Discover the new NACmusicbox TIMELINE: 200 orchestral works, 80 Canadian compositions,
1 interactive TIMELINE that provides a visual representation of our rare online archival collection and encourages the exploration of music connections. The NACmusicbox TIMELINE has been specifically designed to showcase the works of Canadian composers within the history of orchestral music and offers cross-curricular content with classroom-ready activities and lesson plans developed by teachers for teachers. Visit NACmusicbox.ca today.
The National Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the financial investment by the Department of Canadian Heritage in the creation of this online presentation for the Virtual Museum of Canada.
We also thank our partner CBC Radio 2 for generously providing broadcast-quality recordings of the NAC Orchestra’s archival performances.

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Information:  Gerald Morris
Communications Officer, NAC Music
613-947-7000, ext. 335 
[e-mail]  gerald.morris@nac-cna.ca