What happens when a plucky turkey from the sticks meets a posh Park Avenue pigeon?
Find out when musicians from the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra perform a musical story for all ages at two free concerts at the Red Deer Public Library this weekend.
Bruce Adolphe’s Tough Turkey in the Big City will be part of the RDSO’s Symphony@the Snell series on Saturday, Sept. 16. Two performances at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. will kick off the orchestra’s 2023-24 season.
The story of Tom Turkey’s city adventure will be narrated by RDSO trumpet player and music educator Samantha Whelan-Kotkas as an ensemble of six professional musicians, led by Juno-winning conductor Claude Lapalme, will provide the soundtrack.
Tough Turkey in the Big City is described as a “funny, family-friendly favourite.” The tale describes the comic blunders of Tom Turkey, who leaves the farm to try his luck in the big city. Tom has close calls with a menacing chef, a brief romance with a pigeon and a happy mix-up at the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tom is portrayed by the bass trombone, as other instruments depict other colourful characters in the story. The music swings between country (the barnyard) and the smoky jazz of the city. There’s also some fun marching music, hot Latin rhythms etc.
While both RDSO concerts at the Snell Auditorium are free to attend, seating is limited and must be reserved by visiting www.rdso.ca
