Palm Beach Symphony Debuts the Enchanting “Cinderella and the Orchestra” in the Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series

This never-been-told storyline takes audiences on a magical journey with music and art

West Palm Beach, Florida  – Palm Beach Symphony brings another Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series to the stage with “Cinderella and the Orchestra” on Saturday, October 26 at 3 p.m. in the Eissey Campus Theater on the Palm Beach State College campus, 11051 Campus Drive in Palm Beach Gardens.

Palm Beach Symphony, under the baton of Music Director Gerard Schwarz, brings to life a fresh take on this much-loved tale set to the music of Ottorino Respighi’s “Gli uccelli” (The Birds) with an enchanting original story, script and narration by his wife, musician and award-winning author Jody Schwarz. The performance is visually enhanced by ten original art illustrations created by the talented visual artist Renata Rodrigues, framing the stage and enriching the experience.

In this performance, the audience meets Ella, a talented musician who secretly practices the flute in the toolshed away from her stepmother and stepsisters. Her story, with music by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, comes with a musical twist.

“It brings me great joy to bring music to children,” said Jody Schwarz. “Cinderella is a wonderful fairytale that is beloved by many all over the world and told so many ways. This version is a magical, musical fairytale where the prince is the orchestra conductor, and Ella, wearing a mask to hide her identity, attends the masquerade ball to audition for the chance to join the palace’s orchestra. That is where Ella shines.”

Maestro Schwarz and Palm Beach Symphony also shine in adapting Respighi’s “Gli uccelli” (The Birds), originally composed in 1928 and based on music from the 17th and 18th centuries, to Ella’s modern day story.

“I am proud of Palm Beach Symphony for presenting ‘Cinderella and the Orchestra,’” said Maestro Schwarz. “This uplifting story is perfect for the whole family, and a great addition to the season.”

Tickets to the performance are $20 with a $10 student ticket. “Cinderella and the Orchestra” is a family-friendly concert suitable for audiences of all ages. For questions, please contact the Palm Beach Symphony box office at (561) 281-0145 or [email protected].

In keeping with Palm Beach Symphony’s mission to engage, educate and entertain the Palm Beach County community, more than 3,000 students—many of whom will experience live music for the very first time—enjoyed “Cinderella and the Orchestra” on field trips to ‍the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center at Palm Beach State College in Belle Glade, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and Duncan Theater at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth Beach. Teachers interested in downloading lesson plans for grades K-12 may go to palmbeachsymphony.org/programs/cinderella-and-the-orchestra.

The Palm Beach Symphony’s education programs are made possible through support from The Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Music, Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Ray and Jacqueline Farris,  The McNulty Charitable Foundation, James R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui/Findlay Galleries, Herbert H and Barbara C. Dow Foundation, Peter and Felicia Gottsegen/The Gottsegen Family Foundation, Mr. William Robertson, The Annette Urso Rickel Foundation, James H. and Marta T. Batmasian Family Foundation, Florida Power & Light, Edith Hall Friedheim/Eric Friedheim Foundation, Inc., The Spoto Family Fund, The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation Inc., the Komansky Foundation, The Walter & Adi Blum Foundation, Inc.,  Charles F. Schmidt,Alfred Zucaro, Josephine DuPont Bayard,  and Lois Pope.

Proud sponsors of Palm Beach Symphony include Cindy Anderson and Jerome Canty, Mrs. James N. Bay, Carol and Harold Baxter, C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, Inc., JoAnne Berkow, Kathy Lee Bickham and John Bickham, Leslie Rogers Blum, Yvonne S. Boice Trust and Alfred Zucaro, Jeffrey and Tina Bolton, James R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui / FINDLAY Galleries, Braman Motorcars, Jerome J. Claeys, Thomas and Carol Bruce, CIBC Private Wealth, Amy and John Collins, The Colony Hotel, CORPGOV, Suzanne Mott Dansby, The David Minkin Foundation, Jacqueline and Ray K. Farris, Mary and Will Demory, Willard H. Dow and Kelly Winter, Dr. Richard and Diane Farber, Bill and Kem Frick/The Frick Foundation, Inc., Gerry Gibian and Marjorie Yashar, Paul and Sandra Goldner, Douglas and Jo Gressette, Irwin and Janet Gusman, Walter Harper, Thomas E. Harvey & Cathleen P. Black Foundation, Doris Hastings Foundation, Carol S. and Joseph Andrew Hays, John Herrick, Addison Hines Charitable Trust, George Hines, HSS Florida, IPO Edge, Charles and Ann Johnson/The C and A Johnson Family Foundation, Elaine Kay, Aban and Percy Kavasmaneck, Leonard and Norma Klorfine Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, Gary and Linda Lachman/The Lachman Family Foundation, Patricia Lambrecht/The Lambrecht Family Foundation, Lugano Diamonds, Donald C. McGraw Foundation, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, The McNulty Charitable Foundation, Tish Messinger, David Moscow, Palm Beach Design Masters, Patrick and Milly Park/Park Foundation, Nancy and Ellis J. Parker, III, PNC Private Bank, Lois Pope, Provident Jewelry, Ari Rifkin/The Len-Ari Foundation, Dr. Martha Rodriguez and Dr. Jesus Perez-Mendez, Annette Urso Rickel Foundation, Karen Hunt Rogers, The Honorable Ronald A. Rosenfeld, David Schafer, Seth Sprague Foundation, Robin B. Smith, Kimberly V. Strauss, Dodie and Manley Thaler and the Thaler/Howell Foundation, Don and Mary Thompson, Jerome and Carol Trautschold, Sieglinde Wikstrom/The Wikstrom Foundation, and The Ann Eden Woodward Foundation/James and Judy Woods.

ABOUT JODY SCHWARZ

Jody Schwarz received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from The Juilliard School and her MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College. While at Juilliard, she participated in the Lincoln Center Institute’s Chamber Music in the School’s Program, performing hundreds of educational chamber concerts throughout New York City. In New York, she was a member of the Musica Aeterna Orchestra and the Music Today Contemporary Ensemble, and performed at Bargemusic. Schwarz has also appeared with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Seattle Chamber Music Society and Music of Remembrance. She taught and performed for three summers at the Aspen Music Festival, and participated in the Waterloo and Sarasota Festivals. She recorded David Stock’s A Vanished World and Herman Berlinski’s Sonata for Flute and Piano. While at Sarah Lawrence College, she taught writing at the Baccalaureate School for Global Education and Purchase College. Schwarz is currently working on a novel, and her new story and narration for “The Adventures of Peter and the Wolf” with the Palm Beach Symphony aired on PBS. She has served as a board member of the Cornish College of the Arts and Seattle Children’s Theater and is currently on the board of the All-Star Orchestra.

ABOUT GERARD SCHWARZ

In addition to being music director of Palm Beach Symphony, Maestro Gerard Schwarz is Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival and Mozart Orchestra of New York. He is also Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Emeritus of the Mostly Mozart Festival. Also, in South Florida, he serves as the Distinguished Professor of Music, Conducting and Orchestral Studies of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and Music Director of the Frost Symphony Orchestra. Schwarz is internationally recognized for his moving performances, innovative programming and extensive catalog of recordings. He has received hundreds of honors and accolades, including nine Emmy Awards, 14 Grammy® nominations, eight ASCAP Awards and the Ditson Conductor’s Award. He was the first American named Conductor of the Year by Musical America and has received numerous honorary doctorates. The City of Seattle named the street alongside the Benaroya Hall “Gerard Schwarz Place” in his honor. Learn more at gerardschwarz.com.

ABOUT RENATA RODRIGUES

Originally from Brazil, but now residing in West Palm Beach, Florida, Renata Rodrigues is an artist known for her captivating acrylic paintings on wood. From small canvases to large murals and public art, her artistic range knows no bounds. Her art goes beyond visuals; it’s a narrative journey, turning client ideas into emotion-evoking masterpieces. Rodrigues enjoys painting commissions, especially portraying people and animals and the bonding between them. Nature also plays a major influence on her themes. To see more of her artwork, follow her on Facebook and Instagram @renatarodriguesart.

ABOUT THE DALE A. MCNULTY CHILDREN’S CONCERT SERIES

Each October, the Palm Beach Symphony performs the Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series at various venues across Palm Beach County to reach as many students and their families as possible. Performances are held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, Eissey Campus Theater and Duncan Theater. Four performances are school field trips and one is a family show. The field trips are targeted towards Title I Schools and students from low-income households, all of which have high minority populations, but of course students from any school are welcome and encouraged to attend. Teachers are provided with detailed grade-specific curriculum guides with lessons plans. All Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series productions meet numerous educational standards set forth by the State of Florida.

ABOUT PALM BEACH SYMPHONY

Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida’s premier orchestra known for its diverse repertoire and commitment to community. Founded in 1974, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization adheres to a mission of engaging, educating, and entertaining the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The orchestra is celebrated for delivering spirited performances by first-rate musicians and distinguished guest artists. Recognized by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, Palm Beach Symphony continues to expand its education and community outreach programs with children’s concerts, student coaching sessions and master classes, instrument donations and free public concerts that have reached more than 56,000 students in recent years. For more information, visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.