Chicago Symphony brings program for young children to the MAC

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Once Upon a Symphony program for ages 3 to 5 debuts next month in College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center with "The Little Red Hen."

The show begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. Preconcert activities, led by collaborating music educators, begin 45 minutes before the performance. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for children. For information, call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.

"Our 2014-2015 family and children's events were enthusiastically embraced by our audiences this season, so the MAC is especially thrilled to team up with the CSO to bring this fun and engaging music event to our community," MAC Director Diana Martinez said.

"The Little Red Hen" takes the classic children's story about an industrious little red hen and her farmyard friends and brings it to life with small ensemble performances by CSO musicians and vivid storytelling, along with imaginative sets, costumes and visual projections created by Chicago Children's Theatre.

Chicago-based actor and teaching artist Lily Emerson joins CSO string players Susan Synnestvedt (violin), Catherine Brubaker (viola) and Daniel Armstrong (bass) in the new, original production. Music by Beethoven, Haydn and Saint-Saëns is included in the program.

"We are thrilled to partner with the McAninch Arts Center, already a destination for cultural and family programming in DuPage County, for this Once Upon a Symphony program," said Charlie Grode, vice president for the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO.

"Sharing music and storytelling with young listeners and their families in West suburban communities through a variety of programs is a high priority for the CSO, and we're thankful for the great support of everyone at the MAC."

Once Upon a Symphony is a program of the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO and is traditionally presented in collaboration with Chicago Children's Theatre in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago.

The productions, created specifically for the CSO's youngest audience members, blend vibrant music performed by CSO musicians, engaging storytelling and sets and costumes created by Chicago Children's Theatre for a playful, accessible concert experience.

Information about the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO is available at cso.org/institute.