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Interlochen Arts Academy Wind Symphony and Interlochen Public Radio team up to present "Kids Commute Live"

Inspired by the theme “Food, Glorious Food!”, the event features an instrument smorgasbord, guest performers from Traverse City East and West Middle Schools, and self-guided tours of Interlochen's community garden.

Kate Botello with theatre students after Kids Commute Live!

Kids Commute host Kate Botello (center) takes a bow with Arts Academy theatre students following the 2019 presentation of Kids Commute Live!

Interlochen Public Radio and the Interlochen Arts Academy Wind Symphony will present their annual Kids Commute Live special this Saturday, Oct. 16, marking their first in-person event since 2019. Centered on the theme “Food, Glorious Food!”, the event will include a variety of family-friendly activities.

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.interlochen.org. To encourage families to attend, IPR and Interlochen Presents are offering up to four free tickets per household. To claim your free tickets, enter code KCLIVE at checkout. For more information, including a full schedule of events, campus maps, and parking details, visit bit.ly/kidscommutelive2021.

Pre-concert activities start at 1 p.m. and include self-guided tours of Interlochen’s R.B. Annis Botanical Lab and Community Garden and an instrument “smorgasbord” outside of Corson Auditorium. Kids Commuters are also invited to visit IPR’s Studio A to record a greeting that may be used for a future episode of Kids Commute.

At 2 p.m., join Kids Commute host Kate Botello and the Arts Academy Wind Symphony for a concert in Corson Auditorium. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Schlomer and guest conductors Peter Deneen and Douglas Downer, the ensemble will perform a variety of pieces related to food—including a few that use kitchen utensils as musical instruments. Several pieces will feature student performers from the Arts Academy Theatre Division and Traverse City East and West Middle Schools.

“We're so happy to bring back Kids Commute Live! Working with Matt, the Wind Symphony, and theatre students is a highlight of the year,” said Kids Commute host Kate Botello. “We're also really excited to feature our special guests from East and West Middle Schools!”

After the concert, attendees will receive a free gift from Bear Earth Herbals and will have the opportunity to meet Botello and student musicians. Merchandise from both Interlochen Public Radio and Kids Commute will be available for purchase before and after the concert.

In compliance with Interlochen’s COVID-19 policy, all visitors must wear masks while inside campus buildings and for the duration of the performance. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended for those eligible.

This performance will also be webcast on the Interlochen website at interlochen.org/live.

About Classical IPR’s Kids Commute
Classical IPR’s popular Kids Commute airs weekdays at 7:40 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. during the school year. Host Kate Botello and producer Tony Bero introduce young people to classical music through fun weekly themes, showing that classical music isn’t fancy—it’s just music! In 2019 Kids Commute won a Bronze Award in the Best Children/Young Adult Program category of the New York Festivals Radio Awards, which honors radio content from around the world.