Kids' take on holidays

Officials with the Schaumburg Youth Symphony Orchestra describe this weekend's concerts as getting a glimpse of the holidays through a child's eyes.

Unofficially, they call it: "pulling an Art Linkletter."

For the annual Presto! Holiday shows, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, they will weave in interviews with kindergarten through third-graders from Enders-Salk Elementary School in Schaumburg.

"Kids say the darndest things -- especially when given a forum to voice their views," says Rob Pileckis borrowing from Linkletter's famous line. As orchestra manager and production supervisor at Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts, Pileckis has drawn from both of his roles to design the innovative concert. Audience members will watch projected video of their comments in between such concert pieces, as Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," and Handel's "Harp Concerto," as well as holiday carols and other popular works.

"How can you go wrong," Pileckis said. "Children haven't quite learned to self-monitor their words, so their frankness and honesty can be quite revealing and often entertaining."

The youngsters will comment on everything from winter activities and Santa's naughty or nice list, to making sense of the 12 days of Christmas.

"It just makes it such a festive program," Pileckis adds, "and a peaceful musical retreat from a bustling December schedule."

Since 1999, the Presto! Holiday Concert series has mounted orchestral programs built around themes for children and families, making them among the orchestra's most popular shows.

Past concerts have set the orchestra in 19th century Vienna, a 1940s radio station, and a small New York apartment.

Joseph Malmquist, founding director of the youth symphony and orchestra director at Conant High School, will lead the young musicians on Saturday.

What started out with a 16-member teen ensemble in 1989, now encompasses four levels of student musicians, about 200, with the youth symphony orchestra as its highest performing group.

If you go

What: Schaumburg Youth Symphony presents its Presto! Holiday Concerts

When: 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg

Cost: $5, $7 at the door and $3 for children 12 and younger

More information: (847) 895-3600 or visit prairie center.org