11 FSO kids2 For several years, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has brought the magic of live music to Cumberland County Public Schools third-graders via a free concert. On Nov. 3, FSO is changing up the format and offering a free children’s concert open to all families with children, no matter where they live or go to school. As a nonprofit, FSO can’t do free educational programming like this without the support of the community it serves. Nov. 9, the orchestra will host a Friendsgiving Brewery Tour, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward FSO’s education programs.

“Once Upon a Symphony, A Children’s Concert”

The free event takes place this Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Fayetteville Academy Gym, 3200 Cliffdale Rd. It will start at 11 a.m. and last about 45 minutes.

It’s not hard to imagine why hearing orchestral music performed in person by professional musicians is thrilling for young ones. Brief selections of music are accompanied by child-friendly interactive elements and explanations.

These elements include using the introduction to

“Peter and the Wolf” to talk about how instruments and sounds can create different personalities; using Darth Vader’s theme from “Star Wars” to explain tone and mood; and offering an instrument “petting zoo” for the children to touch and try different instruments.

“We added (music from) ‘Frozen’ to the children’s concert two years ago and the kids just burst into song,” said Christine Kastner, FSO president and CEO. “We realized that they were putting together that music they know was produced by an orchestra. We wanted to expand it.”

“Once Upon a Symphony” will also feature selections from “Harry Potter,” “Jurrasic Park” and “Trolls.”

Children will also get to act out a tea party to George Frideric Handel’s famous “Water Music,” march to John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” and take a field trip to a farm with Joseph M. Daly’s “Chicken Reel.”

Fayetteville Academy’s gym has a capacity of about 600. Seating will be in the bleachers, or families may bring blankets to sit on the floor.

Kastner said the concert is designed to be appropriatefor children with special needs. “It’s one ofthe reasons we chose to do it in a gym instead of in a concert hall,” she said, referring to the more relaxe and spacious environment and there being more lighting and sensory-friendly elements.

The concert is sponsored by Terri Union andBrown and Associates Investment Services.

To learn more or to view a list of FSO’s 2018-19 season concerts, visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

Friendsgiving Brewery Tour

Promoted as a chance to “party for a purpose,” FSO’s Friendsgiving Brewery Tour is an opportunity for friends to celebrate Thanksgiving together by both giving back and having a fun night out.

Attendees will gather for dinner in the FSO’s community room at 6:30 p.m. for a meal and then hop on a bus at 7 p.m. for a tasting tour of the area’s breweries that will end at midnight. Stops include Bright Light Brewing Company; Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom; Mash House Brewery Company; World of Beer; and Paddy’s Irish Pub.

Each brewery will highlight a seasonal beer. Coolers on the bus are also welcomed.

In between stops, Friendsgiving-ers will learn about what their money is supporting: FSO’s numerous education programs.

“It’s a way of taking this group of people out, having a fun evening together and also introducing them to the idea that their funds will be supporting charities in this community,” Kastner said.

Registration is required and costs $75 per person. Groups of six or more will receive a $10 discount per head. Beer tastings at each stop are not included in the price of admission. The FSO offices are located at 308 Green St. To reserve your spot, call 910-433-4690.