(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- As part of its mission to provide educational opportunities through youth and family-oriented concerts, the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra will present its annual free family concert on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 3:00pm at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, NJ.  Under the baton of Maestro Charles Prince, the program will feature two classic works.  

“We’re delighted to bring “Peter and the Wolf” in our centennial season to a new generation,” said Rebecca Perkins, PSO President. “Both children and adults will enjoy this concert.”  

In Prokofiev’s famous musical fairytale, each character is matched with an instrument and a musical theme. Listeners learn about the music as the story unfolds.  Tim O’Connor and Timothy Priano, active supporters of Plainfield arts, will narrate the work.

Peter and the Wolf will be followed immediately by Haydn Symphony No. 45 "Farewell" - IV. Finale.  The work is one of the more familiar and frequently performed of the symphonies from the earlier period of Haydn's career.

Immediately after the Haydn piece, children will be invited up to meet with the musicians and see their instruments.  The instrument petting zoo is a tradition in PSO’s family concerts.

Concert attendees are asked to bring dried and canned food contributions for Star Fish Food Pantry, which serves Plainfield. A list of requested items can be found on the Star Fish website.

As New Jersey’s oldest community symphony and the third oldest continuously operating community symphony in the United States, the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra represents the highest standard in musical excellence in programs designed to educate and uplift local audiences. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Additional funding has been received from a 2018 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.