Idaho Falls Symphony to perform “Stealing from Birds;” welcomes second guest conductor
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Inspired by a bald eagle call to its companion, the Idaho Falls Symphony will be performing “Stealing from Birds,” at 7:30 p.m. on November 21 at the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts.
Part II of the Symphony’s “Search Series” kicks off under the baton of Danko Druško, the second of six guest conductors to take the baton this year in the quest to become the next Music Director.
The concert will feature an original composition and violin concerto written by Daniel Perttu, with guest violinist Holly Mulcahy, who came up with the idea for the project. The work’s composer will be present for the performance, which is the second time it has taken the stage.
“Music and nature have always spoken the exact same language,” Mulcahy said. “By bringing scientists and musicians into the same room, we offer our community a completely new lens. 'Stealing from Birds' is about listening to the world around us with fresh ears and celebrating the wild inspiration right in our backyard.”
The Symphony is teaming up with the Teton Raptor Center to link the worlds of classical music, regional ecology and wildlife conservation, according to a news release.
“By using avian vocalizations as a catalyst for creative expression and scientific discovery, the initiative invites audiences into an interactive exploration of the sonic landscape connecting humanity with the wild,” the Symphony shared.
Inspired by the outdoors
The audience will be thrilled by five movements – Dawn Chorus, The Canyon Whisper, Eagles Soar, Crows Dance and Confluence – with the solo violin imitating the calls of various birds in the wild.
Expert guidance from Teton Raptor Center Co-Founder Roger Smith helped shape the music’s structure, transforming “raw biological soundscapes into a unified symphonic narrative,” according to the Symphony.
“This kind of collaboration can bring our community together in new ways, intersecting science, music, and nature, all set against the backdrop of the iconic Snake River and the Tetons,” said the Symphony's Interim Co-Executive Director Gabriella Roderer. “We are delighted to partner with Teton Raptor Center in this meeting of the arts and sciences in our very own Eastern Idaho.”
Special Events
Leading up to the concert, the Symphony and Center will host multiple events for the public, the release states, including:
● “Featherside Chat (Nov. 19): A special presentation held at the Teton Raptor Center on November 19th will explore the biological and musical intersections of the work.
● “Targeted Digital Campaign: A coordinated social media campaign highlighting video clips of violin bird-song mimicry, behind-the-scenes rehearsals, and spotlights on local raptor species.
● “Field-to-Stage Demonstrations: Interactive workshops pairing violinist Holly Mulcahy with wildlife biologists from the Teton Raptor Center, using field recordings alongside live violin mimicry to show how biological sounds are translated into musical notation.
● “Pre-Concert Events (Nov. 21): Pre-concert activities include:
○ 5:30 to 6:30 PM: Teton Raptor Center will feature a live raptor in the lobby alongside an
interactive education station with kid-friendly activities.
○ 6:00 to 6:30 PM: Teton Raptor Center will deliver a Hawk Talk.
○ 6:30 to 7:00 PM: A pre-concert panel discussion covering the featured program pieces, featuring
guest conductor Danko Druško, soloist Holly Mulcahy, and composer Dan Perttu.”
The concert is being presented by ElevateHer Music, Kim & Mike Carpenter, Mary Lynn Hartwell and Arthur & Annelies Kull.
Tickets, and additional information on the events are available at the Idaho Falls Symphony and Teton Raptor Center websites.
