concerts - kronos quartet

In 1995, Dr. Woodson was introduced to David Harrington, founder, director and first violinist with the Kronos Quartet, beginning a long musical relationship. Several events were sponsored by BAM, the Brooklyn Academy of Music in conjunction with New York public schools, including the United Nations International School. Their concerts went overseas to Germany, England and Denmark. 

They connect in several ways including finding creative ways of bringing young people to contemporary music of this extraordinary musical group.

Most recently Dr. Woodson performed with Kronos at Carnegie Hall.

COMPOSITIONS
Compositions for play-along concerts with Kronos Quartet have included:

• "Powerhouse" by Raymond Scott (arranged for Kronos)

• "Spectre" by John Oswald (written for Kronos)

• "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky (arranged for Kronos)

PROGRAM
After audience members pick up their instrument making parts, they bring these supplies into the auditorium, and prepare to assemble the instrument. A typical program is in five parts:

1. Dr. Woodson enters and takes young people through instrument building.

2. Students put their instruments away and Kronos comes on stage, and performs several contemporary works.

3. Dr. Woodson returns, makes a drum on stage, and plays along with the Quartet on one selection.

4. Students then take out their instruments and play along with the Quartet on two selections.

5. Five students are invited to the stage to ask the quartet a few questions, after which they are dismissed.

VENUES
Dr. Woodson has performed with the Kronos in venues around the U.S. from the University of California at Los Angeles, sites in San Francisco, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Carnegie Hall. They have performed together in Germany and Copenhagen and at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

PAST CONCERTS
Concerts have been performed with the following organizations:

1997 Kronos Quartet – Royce Hall, U.C.L.A.
1998 Kronos Quartet – Brooklyn Academy of Music
1998 Kronos Quartet – Royal Festival Hall, London, England
1998 Kronos Quartet – Royce Hall, U.C.L.A.
2007 Kronos Quartet - San Francisco school
2008 Kronos Quartet - Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall

RECENT CONCERT
In December 2008, Dr. Woodson performed with the Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall to a family audience of 600. After making the 'Drumpet' parents and children played along with Kronos on two compositions. This particular concert was preceded by a short presentation of Dr. Woodson's assembly, A World Orchestra You Can Build to support the concert's theme of music from around the world.

To inquire about his play-along concerts with Kronos contact Dr. Woodson directly at 440-725-8767.