CCO brings classical pop music and anti-bullying message to SCPA

Today the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra hosts classical pop music fusion Time for Three at The School for Creative & Performing Arts for a master class in which the trio will address the issue of bullying.
 
“As classical musicians and a bunch of nerds—meant most affectionately—we’re very cognizant of the effects of bullying, and we’ve all gone through it in some fashion or another,” says Thom Mariner, executive director at the CCO. “But we’re big believers in musical education as a way to positively affect positive development.” 
 
Tf3 is a group of classically trained musicians who Mariner says “got together surreptitiously” because of their admittance in the conservatory to liking pop music—an admittance that Mariner says is “a little bit sacrilegious.”
 
The trio, who created a mashup video in 2011 titled “Stronger,” all experienced bullying because of their interests in classical music when growing up; so “Stronger” is a message of inspiration to encourage individuals to continue to pursue what they love.
 
Tf3 not only will present its message about bullying to SCPA students, but tomorrow, on National Anti-Bullying Day, the group also will help the CCO kick off its 40th anniversary season with a performance at its opening concert.
 
“What they’re doing is a brilliant way to bridge gaps in understanding regarding classical music,” Mariner says. “They’re rare in the fact that, while they’re conservatory trained, they all grew up playing improvised music and are extremely comfortable playing off a score or just having fun.”