UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Music in the College of Arts and Architecture invites families and community members to enjoy “Tails & Tales,” a free family concert, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in the Recital Hall of Music Building I. Admission is free and open to the public. This series is sponsored by Foxdale Village.
Part of the School of Music’s Rhapsody Series, the concert is presented by Sarah Schouten, assistant professor of horn, with colleagues Kathy Gattuso Cinatl (piano), Robert Hickey (narrator), Lisa Bontrager (horn), Hunter Horne (horn) and Jessica Pearce (horn).
This “child-sized” concert blends storytelling with classical music performed live by Penn State faculty and friends. While the program is designed with children ages 6 to 12 in mind, audience members of all ages are welcome to enjoy the hour-long event.
The program features works that bring animals and fables to life, including Anthony Plog’s “Animal Ditties III” and “Aesop’s Fables,” Jeffrey Agrell’s “Mother Goose Tales,” and Clark McAlister’s “Fox’s Day Out.” Each piece uses music and narration to transform beloved rhymes, tales and characters into sound and story.
The atmosphere will be informal, supportive and flexible. Families are encouraged to come and go as needed, and the concert is especially welcoming to those with sensory, communication, movement or learning needs. Young listeners are invited to bring along a stuffed-animal friend to join in the fun.