Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho returns to The Block
Costumed musicians, narration and graphics are all part of this unique storybook series for children ages 3 to 8
Muskegon, Michigan, November 25, 2024—What would the holidays be without the West Michigan Symphony Brass Quintet “reindeer” performing great seasonal music for youngsters? Based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho takes the audience on a visit to Farmer Brown’s barn to find out what the animals are up to for Christmas. Families will enjoy live narration, engaging activities, and music specially written to accompany this fun holiday story, along with graphics displayed on a 20-foot screen. Two back-to-back performances, each lasting approximately 45 minutes, will be held at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 7 at The Block, 360 W. Western Avenue, Suite 200, in downtown Muskegon. For tickets, $5 for children (of all ages) and $10 for adults, call 231.726.3231 or visit westmichigansymphony.org.
Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho is the Holiday installment of Click Clack Moosic, a series introducing children ages 3 to 8 to instrumental music in a storybook format. Host and narrator Karen Vander Zanden introduces the small ensemble of costumed WMS musicians, including Bill Baxtresser and Paul Hardacker on trumpets, Greg Bassett on horn, Edward Hickman on trombone, and Riley Lindsey on tuba. Vander Zanden teaches the children about musical concepts, and then reads the story aloud—accompanied by music written for the series by LA-based composer Phil Popham. Click Clack Moosic is part of WMS’s Community Music Encounters, a comprehensive menu of learning activities and place-making projects reaching deeply into the community and enriching the lives of children and young people through exploration, participation and performance.
Click Clack Moosic is sponsored by Mike and Kay Olthoff and Jocelyn Shaw and Doug Hannink, with additional support from Anne M. Dake, the Leonel L. and Mary Loder Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and the Michigan Arts and Culture Commission. Designated major gifts to support the series were also provided by Jon and Jane Blyth, Robert Harrell, Barbara Kelso, Susan Meston, Martha Muir, Chip & Susan Sawyer and Roy Winegar. An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon celebrating its 85th Anniversary Season this year, West Michigan Symphony led by Music Director Scott Speck is a resident presenting group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of far-reaching community benefit. WMS also operates The Block, a downtown music listening room presenting 15 annual performances of classical, crossover and jazz. WMS concerts and education events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore. ###
