Feathered friends and furry fiends are wanted for St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s children’s concerts which are being held this Sunday, October 11.

The concerts are being held at 2pm, repeated at 3.30pm, at St Saviour’s Church in Sandpit Lane, St Albans,

Under-11s are invited to don fancy dress for a concert featuring the best-loved story ever set to classical music - Serge Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

The Russian composer weaves the story-telling with music where the characters – animal as well as human – are portrayed by different musical instruments.

By the time Peter, the boy hero, has concluded his disobedient adventure, listening children will have been introduced to every section in the orchestra.

Narrating the story will be locally-based singer and actor Tim Edwards, currently appearing in the West End hit show The Book of Mormon, who previously toured in the UK cast of Wicked.

During the interval there will be the traditional, noisy opportunity for children to get closer to the orchestra by trying out some of the players’ instruments.

Then guest conductor Mike Thorne and piano soloist Lynn Carter will be inviting the audience to “spot that tune” when they perform excerpts from Variations on a Nursery Theme by Hungarian composer Ern? Dohnányi.

The concluding gallop from Rossini’s William Tell Overture –known to the older generations as the Lone Ranger theme - will bring the concert to a conclusion

Dressing up as an animal, little monster or nursery character is optional but the orchestra hopes as many children as possible will decide to join in. By tradition, many members of the orchestra will be wearing fancy dress too.

Tickets for the two concerts, price £1 (children) and £5 grown-ups are available from the SASO ticket secretary (01727 852768), tickets@saso.org.uk or on the door.