A new series of family concerts is touring the island this month as the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra collaborates with music pedagogue Christina Charalambidou to present the symphonic version of the musical story Kiki in America in five performances. The protagonist of the story is an adventurous chicklet named Kiki, which will come to life through storytelling, projected illustrations and live music.

Kiki makes a journey in America which starts in San Francisco, passes through the Grand Canyon and ends in New York City. During her trip, Kiki will discover music by American and European composers inspired by the natural beauty of America, melodies of Native Americans and Afroamericans, Latin music and Jazz. Moreover, the work New York Suite by Cypriot composer Tasos Stylianou which has been specially commissioned for this programme by the CySO Foundation, will embody the sounds of New York.

Limassol’s Pattihio Municipal Theatre will be the first to host Kiki and her adventures during an afternoon concert on May 21. Then, the musicians will travel to Nicosia for two concerts on May 22 at Pallas Theatre. Two more performances will take place on the following weekend – Saturday 28 at the Larnaca Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos and Sunday 29 at the Paphos Markideio Municipal Theatre.

These family-educational concerts include interactive musical activities between the musicians, the music educators and the children. A brief workshop will follow where the children will have the opportunity to try some of the instruments of the orchestra.

The main goal of the concerts and workshops is to promote musical exposition and education of children from the early years of their life. Specifically, they aim to introduce children to classical and jazz music, the instruments of the symphony orchestra and cultivate their musicality in creative ways. The children will have the opportunity to experience music through emotional expression, movement, language, the use of imagination and the creation of their own drawings.

Kiki in America

Family concerts with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. May 21. Pattihio Municipal Theatre, Limassol. 4pm. May 22. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. 10am and 12.15pm. May 28. Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos, Larnaca. May 29. Markideio Theatre, Paphos. 4pm. €7. Tel: 22-463144. www.cyso.org.cy