February 23, 2006
Maryland Symphony Orchestra Family Concert Features Life-Sized Puppets in “Peter and the Wolf” and World Premiere of “Molly Pitcher”

HAGERSTOWN, MD - - - The Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Elizabeth Schulze present “Heroes and Heroines,” the 2006 Family Concert, on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. at the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. This annual family favorite features a captivating and charming blend of exquisite puppetry, thrilling narrative, and powerful classical music, with narration by Maryland Public Television’s “Bob the Vid Tech.” Designed for children of all ages, the Family Concert features the world premiere of “Molly Pitcher,” with music by Maryland composer Robert Lichtenberger, and Prokofiev's classic "Peter and the Wolf" with the beautifully crafted life-sized 'bunraku' style puppets of Das Puppenspiel. In case of inclement weather, a snow date is planned for Sunday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m.

Bob Heck returns to Hagerstown to once again host the MSO Family Concert. Widely known as Maryland Public Television's super-enthusiastic children's host, “Bob The Vid Tech,” he makes learning fun on a variety of topics during daily appearances between MPT's regularly-scheduled children's programs, as well as in field trips to exciting places. Due in part to Bob's comic versatility, he often plays multiple characters in the same scene. During his 14 years as “Bob the Vid Tech,” he has been honored with seven Capital Region Emmy Awards from the National Capital/Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Bob the Vid Tech specials have also received seven Emmy nominations and won five Capital Region Emmy Awards in the category of “Outstanding Children’s Special." Bob’s newest adventure, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” will air this spring on MPT.

Founded in 1974, Das Puppenspiel Puppet Theater is a professional touring theatre that offers award-winning mainstage productions to theatres, schools, arts councils, museums, special events, and live orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Company’s artistry, featuring exquisitely designed mask, mime, marionette, and bunraku style puppetry, has earned a reputation for excellence with presenters and audiences alike.

“Heroes and Heroines” also features the world premiere of “Molly Pitcher” by Maryland native Robert Lichtenberger. Mr. Lichtenberger was a career arranger/composer for the U. S. Army Field Band of Washington, DC, and his music was heard collectively by more than 1,000,000 listeners over the 30 years between 1971 & 2001. He has been the recipient of a compositional first prize from the International Horn Society, has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and has received recognition from the American Bandmasters Association. Commissions have included works for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (an original piece, by request from Maestro Erich Kunzel,) Concert Artists of Baltimore, the Paul Hill Chorale & Orchestra of Washington, DC, the Annapolis Brass Quintet, the Columbia (MD) Pro Cantare, Howard County (MD) Government, and the Anne Arundel County (MD) Public Schools, as well as various churches, etc. Mr. Lichtenberger’s music has been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Harrisburg (PA) Symphony Orchestra, the Naples (Florida) Symphony Orchestra, the Lincoln (Nebr.) Symphony Orchestra, the St. Luke’s Orchestra & Chorus of NYC, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the U. S. Marine Band and numerous university ensembles. His music has been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Shawnee Press, Broude Brothers, Sunhawk Corp., and Thompson Edition.

The story of “Molly Pitcher” will be enacted by Melinda Myers as the title character and Mark Myers as Molly’s husband, William Hays. Mark and Melinda are Civil War and World War II reenactors, and members of the Civilian Hometown Society and the 2nd Armored Division, based out of Lancaster, PA. Melinda creates period clothing, including the costume she wears as “Molly Pitcher.” During Civil War reenactments she portrays a seamstress and mercantile owner and Mark a cobbler.

Sponsors for “Heroes and Heroines” are First Data, JLG Industries and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild. “Bob the Vid Tech” will greet concert attendees in the lobby of the theatre prior to the concert, and patrons are welcome to meet Das Puppenspiel and their puppets in front of the stage at the conclusion of the concert. Children are invited to have their picture taken with “Molly Pitcher and William Hays” in the lobby of the theatre after the performance.

Tickets for the MSO Family Concert are $19.00 for adults and $11.00 for children 12 and under, and are available at the MSO Box Office located at 13 S. Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland, or by calling 301-797-4000.

Led by Music Director and Conductor Elizabeth Schulze, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is the area’s premiere professional orchestra, dedicated to providing musical performances and programs that educate and entertain while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region.