Tchaikovsky Discovers America
September 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Prelude 6:00 PM*
Numerica Performing Arts Center
*Season tickets & student discounts available
*Join us for a “Prelude!”, a pre-concert talk and Q&A with WVSO Music Director Nikolas Caoile at the Numerica PAC concert hall. Get ready for the show and dive into insights about our concert program.
“I saw his ship sail into New York Harbor that day in 1891 – past the Statue of Liberty, past the hundreds of people cheering on the shore. All of America seemed to be waiting for him and his music…”
The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky Discovers America by Classical Kids LIVE!
Based on the actual historical event, this story tells of the great composer’s arrival in New York for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891 and his famous trip to Niagara Falls. A surprise encounter with a young American girl, Jennie, reveals much about Tchaikovsky – his life in Russia, his love of music and his fears of conducting. This is a poignant story of the meeting of old world influences and new world experiences; a tale of contrast, courage and classical music.
This concert will also feature Jessie Evans, our 2025 Young Musician Competition winner!
Nik’s Notes
Tchaikovsky is one of my favorite composers. The symphonies, ballets, the overtures - the scope of his expressive range is limitless.
Jessie Evans
2025 Young Musician Competition Winner
Program
We’re excited to feature Jessie Evans, our 2025 Young Musician Competition winner, performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216 to open the evening.
After a short intermission, the stage transforms for Tchaikovsky Discovers America — featuring twenty-five of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved works, including excerpts from The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The 1812 Overture, First Piano Concerto, and String Serenade.
The music is magically woven into the drama as two actors recreate historical incidents from the composer’s life and dance story passages from his famous ballets. This delightful concert, dance and story performance is approximately 50 minutes in length and is an ideal addition to any children’s education program or family concert series. This program is recommended for audiences age six and up.
Classical Kids LIVE! Artists
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Paul Pement
Director & Producer
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Roger Anderson
actor, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
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Nicole Hren
actor, Jennie Petroff
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Susan Hammond
Series Creator
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Douglas Cowling
Playwright / Music Editor
The theatrical concert version of Tchaikovsky Discovers America is an adaptation of the best-selling and award-winning Classical Kids recording, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, produced by Susan Hammond. Classical Kids® is a trademark licensed exclusively to Pement Enterprises and produced by Classical Kids Music Education, NFP.
Classical Kids CDs/Merchandise Available at www.ClassicalKidsLive.com
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