Animals Come To Life With Ann Arbor Orchestra

Also featured on the concert are the great children's classic, Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf with young actors from Ann Arbor Civic's Junior Theatre Troupe, and the world premiere of Stop, Drop and Listen by Elizabeth Kelly--a fun and whimsical piece commissioned by the A?SO through the Ray and Eleanor Cross Foundation. Elizabeth Kelly won a national competition to write music that encourages audience members to listen rather than make noise during a concert.

Concertgoers are encouraged to come as their favorite animal or character from Peter and the Wolf. This concert is the featured event of the Ann Arbor Family Days weekend, allowing area arts organizations to present free and low-cost family friendly cultural events for one weekend in several venues throughout Ann Arbor.

The winners of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's piano competition, who will play the two pianos required for Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals, are J. Jesse Bennett, 15, born in Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea, and Stephanie Webb, 16, who is a junior at Saline High School. Both teens already have fantastic credentials, with many of awards between them.

Several family-friendly activities will take place prior to the concert. These include:

• String Instrument Petting Zoo. Kids can try out child-sized strings from Shar Products with experienced "Zookeepers." 2:30-3:30 in the Michigan Theater lobby.

• Craft projects with the University of Michigan Museum of Art. 2:30-3:30 in the Michigan Theater balcony.

• A hands-on activity with the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum. 2:30-3:30 in the Michigan Theater lobby.

• Hands-on Drumming presented by Drummunity and Lori Fithian. 2:30-3:30 in the Michigan Theater lobby.

• Performances by members of the Ann Arbor School for Performing Arts. 3:30 – 3:50 in the Michigan Theater Lobby.

The concert and family activities will be preceded by a workshop presented by Girl Scouts of Huron Valley Council for Brownie Girl Scouts from 12:30 to 2:30. Symphony staff and volunteers will lead participating Girl Scouts in the workshop. Upon completion of the workshop and attendance at the concert, Girl Scouts will have earned their Making Music Try It and a Music Fun Badge. Additional interested Girl Scouts may attend the concert and earn an Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Fun Patch by registering with the Girl Scouts. The University of Michigan Museum of Art, Drummunity and Shar Products will partner with the A?SO to make this workshop possible. -- www.a2so.com