QPO plays ‘Peter and the Wolf’ at Doha College
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), recently played two performances of Prokofiev’s ‘Peter and the Wolf’ to all primary students and their teachers at Doha College.
The performance, conducted by Giovanni Passini and narrated by Christoph ‘Kiko’ Schmitz in a most dramatic and captivating manner, was the perfect vehicle for music education.
The students, a very large proportion of whom are learning to play instruments, were a hugely receptive and appreciative audience. Some of them were even lucky enough to try their hand at conducting on stage and the exciting reaction on their faces was simply magical.
Conductor Giovanni Passini shared his thoughts on the experience: “Exposing children to live music of any kind is invaluable – being the same room where the sound is produced, creates a three-dimensional feel of the sound and its energy; the audience then becomes a protagonist of the performance. We explored the interactivity of the music and we loved the enthusiasm we got from the Doha College students. To play for an audience so fresh, attentive and responsive to the emotional segments of the piece reminds us how great our job is. The relationship between music and children is about creativity and emotional intelligence, and when children experience it along with their teachers or parents, it enhances their bond; it’s about community.”
Ryan Sullivan, head of Primary Music at Doha College and an exceptional musician himself, thanked QPO for their performance. “Our students and staff had a wonderful day, and it was encouraging to see our fantastic facilities being put to use by a professional ensemble. We were particularly impressed by the warmth of orchestra, in how they invited some of our students up to conduct from the podium. Special thanks go to Kiko, Giovanni, and Kurt Meister, QPO executive director, for bringing this opportunity to fruition. We look forward to continuing to develop our relationship with the orchestra in the future.”
Doha College provides instrumental music tuition through its long-standing programme, staffed by musicians who are highly qualified in their field, drawn from a broad international base.