The Guelph Symphony Orchestra kicked off a mini holiday concert series with a performance for some of its youngest patrons Friday.
Playing on the back of a flatbed truck complete with propane heaters, the orchestra entertained Grade 1 through Grade 6 students at Sacred Heart Catholic School.
The orchestra's regular in-school music program moved online during the pandemic. Friday marked the first time its musicians have returned to perform in-person for students.
"There's a joy in live performance," said Catherine Molina, orchestra general manager and violinist. "There's a sense of connection."
Friday's show marked the launch of a seven-concert series entitled Fanfare Festival.
There are two shows planned at schools and two at retirement homes.
Tickets, at a cost of $5, are also available for two family-friendly 35-minute performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker narrated by Joe Ringhofer in the lobby of River Run Centre, at 1pm and 3pm, on Sunday December 12.
Finally, in partnership with Guelph Museums, a rendition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas narrated by Kween, will be streamed from the Guelph Civic Museum on Christmas Eve.
"I think that so many of our traditions — not just the orchestra but everyone's — we're not able to do in the same way," said Molina. "So this is just giving a sense of normalcy."
Funding for the Fanfare Festival comes from Heritage Canada and the City of Guelph.
Molina noted the orchestra is also incredibly grateful to all its sponsors in the community.
