Conducted by Music Director Perry So, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will introduce more than 3,000 students and families to the orchestra this March with their annual Young People’s Concerts.

This year’s program will feature Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic fairy tale for children where each character is represented by a different instrument. This timeless story offers a captivating way to explore the unique sounds and personalities of the orchestra. Conducted by Perry So, the 50-minute concert will also feature additional interactive elements to keep young listeners engaged.

• SUNDAY, MARCH 30 at 1:00 PM:A free, public performance will take place at the John C. Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern CT State University. Families can attend without charge to experience an interactive program designed especially for young audiences. After the concert, children can participate in the orchestra’s popular instrument “petting zoo,” where NHSO musicians will guide them in trying real orchestra instruments. Tickets are free can be registered in advance at NewHavenSymphony.org or by calling (203) 693-1486. 

Click here to register for tickets to the March 30 performance. 

• TUESDAY, MARCH 25 at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM:These two performances, also at the Lyman Center, are field trip opportunities for student groups. With tickets priced at $7 per student, these concerts are an excellent way for schools to introduce their students to classical music in an engaging and educational setting. (The field trip performances do not include the post-concert instrument petting zoo.) Groups interested in bringing students to these performances should email Education@NewHavenSymphony.org.

NHSO Education Director Caitlin Daly-Gonzales says: “Peter and the Wolf continues to captivate audiences because it’s both fun and educational. Through Prokofiev’s clever storytelling, kids learn to recognize the distinct sounds and personalities of each featured instrument. We can’t wait to share this lively, interactive experience with families and students alike!”

Young People’s Concerts are sponsored by Bartels Trust for Public Education, the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, and Southern CT State University.