03 Sep Press Release: November Outreach

Les Délices will Share Special Outreach & Educational Programs in Northeast Ohio

 Local chamber music powerhouse Les Délices announces expanded educational and outreach programming in its 2025-26 season, with the goal of extending access to Early Music in its Northeast Ohio community. This November 16-22 represents a high point in the ensemble’s free community offerings, with multiple programs presented in Cleveland, Akron, and Rocky River:

• Nov. 16th 9 am to 4:30 pm: Musical Storytelling: An All-Day Baroque Strings Workshop (for intermediate and advanced string players age 10-18) at Cleveland Music Settlement School
• Nov. 21st at 7 pm: Wild Things at Rocky River Public Library (delightful settings of Aesop’s fables, sung in English, plus Baroque instrumental music inspired by the natural world)
• Nov. 22nd at 11:30 am (arts & crafts begin at 10:30 am) The Aesop Project at CMA Community Arts Center (featuring puppets, narration, and live music!) 
• Nov. 22nd at 3:30 pm The Aesop Project at Akron Public Library Main Branch  (featuring puppets, narration, and live music!) 

In addition to these free events, Les Délices will present the Aesop Project in four local public schools, part their strategic expansion of educational programming for Northeast Ohio students

Says LD Executive Director Laura Potter, “Les Délices is committed to showing up in our community in ways that make Early Music welcoming and accessible. Our November programs provide vibrant, hands-on experiences for Northeast Ohio youth and families that will encourage participants to explore different ways of thinking about music and culture. Above all, these programs are FUN ways to connect with Baroque music and creative storytelling.”

Les Délices recently launched an Education Fund to power these and other outreach initiatives. This new Education Fund supports partnerships with public schools in Cleveland and Akron and will fund Les Délices’ second annual one-day Baroque Strings workshop at The Music Settlement on November 16th. Donations to the Education Fund are now being accepted. To discuss a special gift, please contact Executive Director Laura Potter at laura@lesdelices.org. 

ABOUT MUSICAL STORYTELLING: AN ALL-DAY BAROQUE STRINGS WORKSHOP

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, Les Délices, will host its second full-day strings workshop in partnership with The Music Settlement. This workshop, led by Les Délices Artistic Director Debra Nagy and teaching artists Shelby Yamin (violin) and Rebecca Landell (cello), will offer intermediate to advanced student musicians (ages 10-18) an opportunity to explore baroque string techniques and delve into the art of musical storytelling. The curriculum will focus on selections from Heinrich Biber’s programmatic showpiece, Battalia, and will include group lessons, ensemble playing, and a faculty performance.

This unique workshop is open to violin, viola, cello, and bass players, with a suggested prerequisite of having completed Suzuki Book 3 or an equivalent skill level. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Music Settlement on Sunday, November 16, will conclude with a public performance and reception for participants and their families. To ensure accessibility, the workshop is offered on a “Pay-what-you-can” model. In addition, participating families will receive up to four free tickets to Les Délices’ holiday concerts, Noel, Noel, in December. Space is limited and registration is now open through The Music Settlement.

THE AESOP PROJECT: LIVE MUSIC, PUPPETS, NARRATION, AND BELOVED FABLES!

After touring The Aesop Project to local schools as an assembly program, Les Délices will give two free public performances of The Aesop Project on November 22nd. This puppet-filled adaptation of the Grimm fairytale “The Bremen Town Musicians” follows four animal friends on a whimsical pilgrimage, sharing stories of their fellow creatures’ triumphs and sorrows through some of the most beloved Aesop’s Fables.

The production features puppets designed by local artist Ian Petroni, a Baroque score assembled by Les Délices director Debra Nagy, and a new narrative by Ohio poet laureate Dave Lucas.

The Aesop Project is the perfect Saturday activity for Cleveland and Akron families on November 22nd. The first performance will be at 11:30 am at the Community Arts Center at CMA, with arts and crafts (including mask-making!) available starting at 10:30 am. A second performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Akron Public Library Main Branch. Blending music, puppetry, and storytelling, The Aesop Project promises to be an unforgettable experience that will delight and inspire audiences of all ages.

In addition to these performances, LD will perform a related (but puppet-free) program titled Wild Things on Friday, November 21st at 7 pm at Rocky River Public Library as part of their Tune in River Series. Les Délices will also perform Wild Things in Hudson, Ohio, presented by Music from the Western Reserve on Sunday, Nov. 23rd. Unlike other events, this performance will be ticketed. Visit the MftWR website to learn more. 

FREE programs in November:

Musical Storytelling: An All-Day Baroque Strings Workshop
Sunday, November 16th from 9 am to 4:30 pm
The Music Settlement
11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH

Wild Things in Rocky River
Friday, November 21st at 7:00 pm
Rocky River Public Library
1600 Hampton Rd, Rocky River, OH

The Aesop Project in Cleveland
Saturday, November 22nd at 11:30 am
Community Art Center at CMA
2937 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, OH

The Aesop Project in Akron
Saturday, November 22nd at 3:30 pm
Akron Public Library
60 S. High Street, Akron, OH

Les Délices maintains a robust schedule of educational and outreach programming, in addition to its traditional concert offerings. Explore all upcoming Les Délices events at lesdelices.org/events