Free Cookie Concert Brings Classical Music to Orange on March 14

Free Classical Concert Coming to Orange on March 14

The Suzuki Music School of Orange will host its next Children's Cookie Concert on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. at St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church, located at 480 Racebrook Rd. in Orange. The event is free and open to the public.

Violinist Andrew Smith and pianist Christopher Ungerer will perform works by Franz Schubert, Manuel de Falla, and Edvard Grieg during the 45-minute program, which is designed for families with children ages 4 and up. Cookies and treats are served during the informal performance.

Tickets can be reserved online through the Suzuki Music Schools website at suzukischools.org.

Orange Concert Series Offers Intimate Setting for Families

The Cookie Concert Series is a recurring program run by the Suzuki Music School that brings professional musicians to perform in an intimate, informal setting designed for the whole family. The concerts are structured to be short enough to hold young children's attention while exposing them to live classical music.

The series has become a staple of the school's community programming, offering free performances throughout the school year. Each concert pairs professional artists with a relaxed atmosphere where families can enjoy music together without the formality of a traditional concert hall.

The March 14 program features a mix of Romantic and early 20th-century compositions. Schubert's chamber works are known for their lyrical melodies, while de Falla's Spanish-influenced pieces and Grieg's Norwegian folk-inspired compositions offer contrasting styles that showcase the violin's range.

Second Concert Planned for April 5

The Suzuki Music School has also announced a second Cookie Concert on Saturday, April 5, at 3 p.m. in the Social Hall at St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church. That performance will feature the school's student string ensemble Vivace, which will perform music by Taylor Swift and other contemporary artists.

The April concert offers a different experience from the March event, putting student performers in the spotlight and featuring popular music arrangements rather than classical repertoire. Both concerts follow the same format of short, family-friendly performances with refreshments.

About the Suzuki Music School

The Suzuki Music Schools of Westport and Orange is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit music school founded in 1997. The school serves more than 400 students and offers instruction in violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, piano, chamber music, and music theory.

The school's teaching method is based on the Suzuki approach, developed by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, which emphasizes learning music in the same way children learn language — through listening, repetition, and encouragement. The method is designed to develop the whole child, not just musical ability.

In addition to private lessons and group classes, the school provides free concerts and events open to the public throughout the school year. The Cookie Concert Series is one of several outreach programs the school runs to make classical music accessible to families in the Orange and Westport communities.

St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church, which hosts the concerts, is located at 480 Racebrook Rd. in Orange. The church's library and social hall provide an intimate venue well-suited to the small-scale performances.

How to Attend

The March 14 Cookie Concert is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance through the Suzuki Music Schools website. The concert begins at 3 p.m. and runs approximately 45 minutes. Children ages 4 and up are welcome.

For more information about the Cookie Concert Series or the Suzuki Music School of Orange, visit suzukischools.org or contact the school directly.

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