Families can discover music at Seattle Symphony’s concert series

Published 12:01 am Friday, October 21, 2011

Seattle Symphony is tuning up to start its 2011-2012 Family Concerts series, which offers a wide range of music for families and children from birth through age 18.

The series includes the Tiny Tots concerts for those up to 5 years. These 35-minute concerts engage the youngest concertgoer in

interactive programs featuring musical games, stories and songs.

Activities begin in the lobby 30 minutes before each performance, according to press material.

The Gilman Family Discover Music series, for ages 6 to 11, is made up of five 50-minute concerts that explore the world of symphonic music and feature performances by local young musicians.

The series begins with music director Ludovic Morlot conducting “The Story of Babar,” about the little elephant, with music by Francis Poulenc.

Discover Music concerts take place at 11 a.m. Saturdays.

The Beyond the Score series is for teens ready for a full-length concert. This three-concert series explores classics by pairing a live concert with multimedia presentations.

Following is the schedule for the 2011–2012 Tiny Tot series. For other programming schedules go to www.seattlesymphony.org.

Tiny Tots: Kindermusik Symphony Serenades

“A Birthday Party for Mozart”: Explore the world of Mozart’s music from his point of view. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21.

“A Little Barn Moo-sic”: Sing a sheepish story, meet a wise owl and hear instruments that sound like barnyard animals. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. March 17.

“Swing Me Up and Swing Me Down”: Meet the members of the brass family and play games that teach high and low. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. May 12.

Seattle Symphony performs at Benaroya Hall’s Taper auditorium, 200 University St., Seattle.

Ticket prices vary depending on subscription packages and concert. For ticket information, call 206-215-4747 or 866-833-4747 or go online to www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/buy/.

Tiny Tots: Let Your Music Shine with Lisa and Linda

“Halloween Hooray”: Sing and dance to Halloween classics; 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28; 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 29.

“Mother Goose Goes to the Symphony”: Hickory dickory dock and other favorite rhymes to sing with Mother Goose and friends. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18; 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 19.

“Sailing the Musical Seas”: Jump and clap, swing and sing with Presto the Porpoise and Largo the Tortoise. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17; 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 18.

“Beethoven’s Birthday Bear”: Join this birthday celebration, featuring the music of Beethoven. Bring your favorite Teddy bear. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. April 20; 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 21.

“A Percussion Picnic”: On this picnic you get to giggle and wiggle to classic tunes. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. June 22; 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 23.

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.