Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Presented Annual Children’s Concert Featuring Philharmonia Fantastique

MONTGOMERY, AL - Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presented its annual Children's Concert on Thursday, March 12, with two free performances at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for more than 1,200 local 5th grade students from public schools, private schools, and homeschool groups across the River Region.

This year's featured work was Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra, an innovative concerto by Grammy-winning composer Mason Bates. The work took students on an imaginative journey inside the orchestra, introducing each family of instruments - strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion - and demonstrated how they work together to create symphonic sound.

Through the live performance, students explored how instruments produce sound, how themes move through the orchestra, and how musicians collaborate as an ensemble. Designed specifically for young audiences, Philharmonia Fantastique blends storytelling and musical exploration in a way that is both entertaining and educational. Ava Viskup, a fifth-grade student from Bear Exploratory Center stated that her "favorite part of the concert was the beginning of the film. The music was really beautiful, and everyone did a really good job."

"Our Children's Concerts are among my favorite performances each season," says Jamie Reeves, Music Director & Conductor. "The MSO musicians and I are thrilled to engage with young people throughout central Alabama, as we explore together the art and science of symphonic music."

The Children's Concerts are provided free of charge and are part of MSO's broader commitment to arts education through programs such as the Montgomery Music Project, Montgomery Youth Orchestra, and Symphonic Storytime.

For more information, please contact Andrea Crowley at [email protected].