The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's OTO String Quartet Returns to Mason District Park Today

Spend a leisurely Saturday morning with the entire family at this kid-friendly performance from The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's OTO String Quartet. The quartet will perform at the amphitheater as part of the Arts in the Parks summer concert series on Saturday, June 25.

The OTO String Quartet is the FSO’s introduction to the family of string instruments. Children are encouraged to participate and interact with the quartet during the performance.

Learn more about tomorrow’s performance in this Q&A with cellist and quartet leader MaryAnn Perkel.

What songs will the Overture to Orchestra String Quartet perform on Saturday?

The theme of our program is "At This Time in History." So our musical selections begin with an untitled piece from the 12th century, followed by a selection by King Henry VIII, and continuing chronologically with music from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Gershwin, Shostakovich, Phillip Glass (a contemporary composer from Baltimore), and finishing with, believe it or not, Led Zeppelin!

Will the performance be geared toward young children? If so, how will you keep them engaged in the music? Will the performance be interactive?

Our program definitely has a focus towards kids, but because music is so multi-dimensional, the show has a clear historical and educational component and is universally appealing to all ages. Our narrator, Mr. Bob Spates, asks a lot from our audiences and encourages all to react to the music by dancing, singing, clapping, asking questions, etc. The show, by design, is very participatory.

Has the quartet performed at Arts in the Parks before? What has that experience been like?

The members of our current group (including Mr. Spates, who is also a violinist in the Fairfax Symphony) have performed together for the last four or five years in the summer Arts in the Parks series. During the school year, we also participate in the FSO's school music program, which was recently revamped and is better than ever.

As a quartet and small chamber ensemble, the five of us really enjoy working and performing together. We're pretty easy-going and collaborative, which can be an unusual combination for musicians!

How long have you been the cellist and leader of the Overture to Orchestra String Quartet?

I've been leader and cellist of this group for approx. five years. I took over the position from another FSO cellist, Barbara Van Patten, who had the title for probably 20 years. I guess our longevity illustrates the quality of the OTO program, the music and the musicians. Additionally, we get a lot of great interaction and comments from our audiences. Performing in the midst of such positive feedback makes our efforts truly worthwhile.

What do you love most about performing in the quartet?

[I love] playing great music with great musicians for a responsive and appreciative audience.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

Outdoor lawn concert. Click here for more information on the Overture to Orchestra String Quartet.

Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.; Free
6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA; (703) 324-SHOW