Sharing her facilitation skills with some of our most important members of society, TMS Executive Consultant Maryse Alvis volunteered her time to MC the Brisbane Concert Orchestra Kiddies Cushion Concert on Saturday 1 April.
The annual BCO Kiddies Cushion Concert introduces children to the range of orchestral instruments where they are encouraged to listen, learn and have fun with a broad range of musical genres in a friendly and supportive environment.
As MC, Maryse initially introduced the new “beta release” Robot Conductor, which caused a few giggles and surprised looks from the tiny audience members, especially when he crashed into a wall. The orchestra played a variety of child-friendly pieces of music, including excerpts from Star Wars and the Polar Express. One of the children had an exciting time when she won a lucky door prize of being a guest conductor. She later told Maryse that she was especially happy, as the pianist played “Fur Elise” at the start of the concert, which was her special piece as her name was Elise.
Whilst Maryse often facilitates very interactive workshops, she says that she hasn’t ever had an audience that clapped along and stamped their feet in such a rhythmic manner. Her high point was at the end of the concert, when one of the mothers told her that her daughter thought she was Tinkerbell – a delightful way to end a rather exuberant and fun-filled afternoon.
Special thanks to Matthew Schwarz, the Robot Conductor who has potential to be in the next Disney movie, as well as Sally Cutts, who plays the violin with BCO as one of her many after hours activities.
