October 31, 2006 | Arts

Children Discover the Magic of Music During Kids Fare Series

By Judy Moore

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Returning for another season, the Northwestern University School of Music will present the popular Kids Fare series. These 45-to 60-minute concerts for children aged 3 to 8 and their families are performed and conducted by Northwestern University students, faculty members and guest artists.

All Kids Fare concerts will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays in Evanston campus venues, as noted below.

The Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Robert G. Hasty, will perform “Peter and the Wolf,” narrated by School of Music Dean Toni-Marie Montgomery, on Nov. 4 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive. Children of all ages will enjoy Prokofiev's beloved classic in which each of the story's characters are represented by their own orchestral instrument and musical theme.

On Jan. 20 Chicago's Jump Rhythm Jazz Project will present “Music in Motion” at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Known for their agility and “kick-up-your-heels” creativity, members of the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project will captivate young audiences with their expressive feet and high-energy jazz dance routines.

The Let's Go “Into the Woods” program, Feb. 17 at Pick Staiger Concert Hall, will be performed by students from the 2007 Dolphin Show, a 65-year tradition at Northwestern University. The Dolphin Show is one of the nation's largest student produced musicals. The Kids Fare program will feature scenes and music from Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's popular Broadway musical “Into the Woods,” a production that is an entertaining and clever reworking of classic Grimm Fairy Tales.

On March 31 youngsters and their families will have the opportunity to discover their inner vocal diva during “A Sing Thing for Spring!” The program will include a kaleidoscope of singing styles and will be held at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.

The 2006-07 Kids Fare season will conclude May 5 at Pick-Staiger during “Invasion of the Tubas and Trombones!” Nimble and melodic tuba and trombone players will take the stage to celebrate the musical versatility of both brass instruments.

A series subscription to the six concert 2006-07 Kids Fare series is $24 for the general public; $21 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $16.50 for full-time students and children. A Family Fun Pack series (2 adults and 4 children) is $81.

Single ticket prices for each of the upcoming Kids Fare concerts are $5 for the general public; $4 for senior citizens and for Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3 for full-time students. (There is a 10 percent discount for single tickets to three or more concerts.)

To purchase a series subscription, a Family Fun Pack or single tickets, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000 or buy tickets online at <www.pickstaiger.com>. For more information, call (847) 491-5441.