The Von Trapp children, ancestors from The Sound of Music characters, to sing with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

by PegNews wire

Here are the von Trapp children back in the day.

FORT WORTH — The Sound of Music captured the hearts of millions when it premiered on Broadway and the silver screen. Today the von Trapp singers, the actual great-grandchildren of the real Captain von Trapp, continue the legacy. In this family friendly concert event with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the von Trapps share their exceptional musical gift, heart-warming family stories, timeless pieces from The Sound of Music, and other musical favorites. Ron Spigelman conducts.

The concerts take place Nov. 6 – 8 at Bass Performance Hall and begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $26 - $78. Purchase tickets at www.fwsymphony.org, by phone at 817-665-6000 or the FWSO Ticket Office, 330 E. Fourth Street, Suite 200, in downtown Fort Worth.

Generations after The Sound of Music premiered, the von Trapp’s family legacy is born anew. Meet the von Trapp children: Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin. The children have continued the tradition of the family’s exceptional musical gift and love of singing, sharing songs and heart-warming family stories of life before and after coming to America.

The von Trapp children perform a variety of folk and classical songs from various European and American traditions, as well as timeless pieces from The Sound of Music. The children’s effervescent voices mesh the way only a family’s can. They are increasingly in demand as guest artists and have performed with the Boston Pops, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Baltimore orchestras. Upcoming performances include those with the Toronto, Edmonton, Kansas City, Oklahoma, and Indianapolis orchestras. The children have performed to sold-out crowds around the world and have appeared on Today, Good Morning America, and Sunday Morning, among others.

And now, here are present-day von Trapps. They're the grant-grandkids of the earlier von Trapps.

Australian conductor Ron Spigelman is in his second season as principal pops conductor with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Spigelman made his American debut with the FWSO in 1994, when he was appointed associate conductor. An audience favorite, he has returned as guest conductor many times for performances of popular artists such as Michael Bolton and Wynonna as well as the traditional Home for the Holidays concerts.

Spigelman is also the music director of both the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Missouri and the Metropolitan Classical Ballet in Arlington. He also teaches conducting and special topics at Drury University. Previous appointments include music director of the Fort Worth-Dallas Ballet, San Angelo Symphony, and Texas Chamber Orchestra, and associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

His many career highlights include his critically acclaimed debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of Lowell Liebermann’s Pegasus and his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in 2004. His guest-conducting appearances include those with the orchestras of Virginia, Syracuse, Columbus, Baltimore, San Antonio, Austin, Wheeling, and Boise as well as the Dallas Opera Orchestra. He has also returned to Australia for performances with the Adelaide, Queensland, and Sydney symphony orchestras.

An honors graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, Spigelman was awarded an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARAM) for distinguishing himself in his field in 1996. His principal instrument of study was the trumpet, and as a soloist he has performed with several British orchestras and at music festivals in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Italy.

These concerts are made possible by season sponsors American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, Renaissance Worthington Hotel, and Star-Telegram. Promotional support is provided by Star-Telegram, WFAA-Channel 8, and WRR Classical 101.1 FM.

Source: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra