Backstage at the Egyptian: Courtney Hanna-McNamara

JULI: What will this year’s concert theme be?
COURTNEY: This year’s theme is “The Many Moods of Music,” which will be an introduction to the way classical music can tell a story, evoke emotion, and “set a scene” for the audience. We’ll be performing music as varied as Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” John Williams’ Harry Potter film score, and much more – over a dozen works in all.

J: What is the most challenging thing about doing these concerts?
C: The most challenging aspect of these concerts is that we can’t perform everything we want to! Most of these works are very long for our young audience members, and we have under an hour to give them a robust overview of our vast musical topic. We perform excerpts rather than entire works for many of the pieces we perform, and as musicians that can be a difficult sacrifice because we know how rich the experience is when we can perform them in their entirety! But it’s a good problem to have so much wonderful music to share with such an eager audience.

J: Why did you decide to dedicate yourself to being a part of an organization that prioritizes exposing young audiences to performing arts?
C: I am a former high school English teacher and a current private music instructor in addition to my work as general manager of the KSO. I am also the product of public school music programs that nurtured my dedication to the performing arts and to community service. I love that music education is a part of the KSO’s core mission and that we are expanding our music education outreach programs to include more schools, more outreach programs, and more ways for students to benefit from access to the performing arts.

J: Do you have a memory that stands out to you while playing at one of the kids’ concerts?
C: One of my favorite parts of performing in these annual Children’s Concerts is when we get to interact with students before the concert begins. I love asking students for “song requests” and seeing their surprised faces when I can play pop music for them by ear on the spot. It’s fun to be able to open up their experience of what music performed by classically-trained musicians can be!

J: After doing many concerts, what is the most gratifying thing about doing these concerts?
C: I have a vivid memory of the very first orchestra concert I ever attended when I was just 4 years old. If you asked the musicians onstage for this Children’s Concert, I’m certain that most of them could share a similar memory with you. Knowing that we are providing that first concert experience to the majority of the students in attendance at the Children’s Concert is a very special responsibility that we don’t take lightly. It’s gratifying to know that we are opening the door to so many future opportunities in the arts for these children.

J: Why has the Egyptian Theatre been the perfect setting to host these kids’ concerts for many years?
C: The Egyptian Theatre is a local treasure and has always championed arts education in our community. Their partnerships with organizations like the KSO, Children’s Community Theatre, DeKalb School District’s art educators, and more have created a welcoming venue for students in our community to experience what the arts can be and to see themselves as artists, too. We are so fortunate to live and work in a community where arts organizations collaborate with and celebrate each other. We look forward to many future years of partnership!