The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University invites Houston families to experience the excitement of live orchestral music during its Family Concert at 11 a.m. Feb. 28 in Stude Concert Hall at Alice Pratt Brown Hall. Tickets are free but required, and seating is general admission.
Designed especially for children and first-time concertgoers, the hourlong performance centers on Benjamin Britten’s beloved “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” a lively and imaginative work that has introduced generations of listeners to classical music. The piece unfolds as a bold theme followed by a series of variations, highlighting each section of the orchestra in turn. Woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion each take the spotlight, allowing young audiences to hear how every instrument contributes to the larger musical story. Additional selections will round out the family-friendly program.
The Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, distinguished resident director of orchestras and professor of conducting, alongside his master’s students in conducting Kyle Haake and Ana Spasovska.
Before the concert begins, families are encouraged to arrive early at 10:30 a.m. for activities in the Grand Foyer. Shepherd School student musicians will offer instrument demonstrations, answer questions and give children a chance to see instruments up close. The informal setting provides a hands-on way to spark curiosity and deepen understanding before the orchestra takes the stage.
Following the performance, audience members are invited to take a short five-minute walk to the neighboring Moody Center for the Arts for more family-friendly exploration. The exhibition “Imaging after Photography” is free and open to the public, and families can participate in a creative activity by making their own nature-inspired cyanotype prints after viewing the artwork.