Symphony orchestra to do ‘The Beat Goes On’

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will present “The Beat Goes On” — the first in a series of family concerts — at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 in Ford Family Recital Hall, with music director Randall Craig Fleischer and his wife, narrator Heidi Joyce. Tickets are available at the Powers Auditorium box office; by calling (330) 744-0264; or online at youngstownsymphony.com.

“The Beat Goes On,” will explore rhythm with audience participation. There will be opportunities before and after the concert for children to take part in activity centers where they, and their family members, can meet orchestra musicians, make percussion instruments and play musical games.

Fleischer and Joyce have written many educational concerts that are presented with orchestras across the country. Of particular interest in “The Beat Goes On” is “Rhythm Rap,” a symphonic piece composed which premiered at Kennedy Center.

Joyce has appeared on and off Broadway, on network television, in comedy clubs and across North America with major American orchestras in Cool Concerts for Kids, a collection of educational concerts created by Joyce and Fleischer. She is also the co-author, along with Fleischer, of “Spiritual Journey,” a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., which was premiered at Kennedy Center and later broadcast on PBS. “Spiritual Journey” will be performed by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra on Jan. 19 at Powers Auditorium.

Joyce is the creator, host and executive producer of the nationally recognized “Stand Up Against Domestic Violence” comedy benefit and has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, Ms. magazine and Woman’s Own magazine. She was honored by the National Network to End Domestic Violence for her work on behalf of domestic violence survivors.