Fairy Tale Fantasia at Wentz Concert Hall

With our schools under increasing pressure to raise student achievement on the basic skills of reading, math and writing while facing budget cuts, parents are rarely told how significantly music education enhances academic performance.

Did you know that young people who consistently participate in arts programs are four time more likely to be recognized for student achievement, three times more likely to be elected to class office, four times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem, and four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair? Other research has shown that students involved in music as preschoolers do better in reading and math when they arrive at school.

Given shrinking budgets, music education for young children can no longer be left solely to the schools. This is why the DuPage Symphony Orchestra places such a high priority on the educational element of its mission statement, with chamber music performances at the DuPage Children's Museum and Naperville's 95th Street Library, and a "School Days" performance at a different junior high school each year.

The highlight of the child-friendly events, the annual family concert, is another great way for parents to help their children make a connection to classical music in a stimulating and fun-filled afternoon.
Sunday, November 14 the Madcap Puppet Theatre from Cincinnati joins the DuPage Symphony Orchestra at Wentz Hall, on the campus of North Central College, for two presentations of "Fairy Tale Fantasia", a wonderful collaboration between the orchestra and the biggest puppets a child may ever meet. Classic children's fairy tales are shared to the backdrop of many of the most renowned and well-loved orchestral melodies. This fun –for-all-ages event provides parents (and grandparents) the opportunity to introduce their children to classical music in a very accessible manner.

Involvement with music is one of the best gifts we can offer our children. They not only experience the soaring joy of the beautiful music, but also receive a boost to their mental development, so critically important to academic success.

Tickets for "Fairy Tale Fantasia", offered at both 2 PM and 4 PM, Sunday, November 14, at Wentz Concert Hall (on the campus of North Central College) can be purchased in advance by calling 630-637-7469 or online at http://tickets.noctrl.edu. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the performance. The cost is $12 per person.
Additional information on this concert and all the DSO performances can be obtained on the DuPage Symphony website at www.dupagesyphony.org or by calling the office at 630-778-1003.