FANCY dress and fun is the invitation to noisy kids who go along to St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s popular children’s concerts next Sunday, October 21.

They are being held at St Saviour’s Church in Sandpit Lane, St Albans, at 2pm and 3.30pm and are an opportunity for children of all ages to experience the sound of a symphony orchestra in full cry, helping conductor Bjorn Bantock to tell an adventure story specially written for the occasion.

This year’s entertainment includes favourite music from Bizet’s Children’s Games and Carmen suites, Ravel’s famous Bol�ro, a Japanese Suite by Holst and the Jamaican Rumba by Arthur Benjamin.

To add to the sense of occasion, children in the audience are invited to meet the musicians during the concert interval and enjoy an opportunity to try out their instruments.

Fancy dress isn’t compulsory but, as usual, many members of the orchestra will be dressed as their favourite super-hero, monster, princess, prince or ‘baddie’.

The concerts, which are specially suitable for children of primary school age, will also feature a short performance by young musicians from St Peter’s School, St Albans.

Bjorn Bantock said: “Children who came to the concerts last year will know that there’s going to be a real party atmosphere. Our aim is to demonstrate that music played by a full-size symphony orchestra can, by turns be beautiful, happy and wildly exciting. But we also want to show them that it’s fantastic fun, whether you are listening or playing an instrument.”

Tickets at �1 for (accompanied) children and �5 for grown-ups are available from the SASO Ticket Secretary, Frances Rotchell on 01727 857422 (tickets@saso.org.uk) or on the door.