Hays Symphony announces free Children's Halloween Concert: Prokofiev's classic 'Peter and the Wolf'

HAYS, Kan. — The Hays Symphony Orchestra will present its annual

Children’s Halloween Concert, featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved symphonic tale, Peter and the Wolf, on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.

Pre-concert activities begin at 1:30 p.m. with the concert set for 2:30 p.m., at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park St.

This annual family tradition remains free to the public, made possible through the generous sponsorship of Werth Wealth Management.

The program centers on Prokofiev’s Op. 67, a work specifically written in 1936 to introduce young audiences to the various instruments of the orchestra, with assignment of distinct musical themes and instruments to each character in the story.

For example, the protagonist Peter is represented by the bright and energetic strings, while his grumpy Grandfather is depicted by the low, lumbering bassoon. The Bird’s quick movements are captured by the flute, the Duck’s waddle by the reedy oboe, and the sly Cat’s stealth by the smooth clarinet.

Finally, the menacing Wolf is given a dark, ominous theme played by the French horns, and the Hunters are heralded by the authoritative brass and percussion.

This performance will feature David Macey, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Fort Hays State University, as the narrator, guiding listeners through the Russian folk tale as Peter, a young pioneer, ventures into the meadow, encounters his animal friends, and ultimately helps capture the menacing wolf.

Hays Symphony Director Benjamin Cline said the concert will feature a unique blend of entertainment and educational value.

“Peter and the Wolf is, quite simply, the greatest musical primer ever written,” Cline said. “It is an extraordinary experience for a child to hear the story narrated while simultaneously learning to recognize the distinct voice of each orchestral instrument.”

“This concert serves as a vital entry point into the world of classical music for our community’s youngest members, and we are thrilled to offer this high-quality, professional performance completely free of charge. Making this event accessible is one of the most important things the Hays Symphony does all year.”

The musical piece was commissioned by Natalya Sats, the director of the Central Children's Theatre in Moscow, with the explicit goal of furthering musical education.

Since its premiere, it has been performed and recorded by nearly every major orchestra worldwide, featuring narrators ranging from celebrity actors to political figures, demonstrating its universal appeal and enduring power as a piece of musical storytelling.

The Hays Symphony is dedicated to continuing this international tradition of fostering musical literacy.

Family-Friendly Activities Start Early

The musical experience is only part of the afternoon's festivities. Pre-concert activities will begin at 1:30 p.m., in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center lobby and

surrounding areas.

These activities are designed to be hands-on and engaging, particularly for children attending in costume. Highlights of the pre-concert event include:

Halloween Costume Parade: Children are encouraged to attend in their favorite Halloween attire and participate in a festive parade.

Instrumental Petting Zoo: This highly popular activity gives children a rare chance to see, touch, and even try out instruments from the orchestral families that they will hear represented in the concert.

Arts and Crafts: Creative activities related to the themes of the concert and Halloween, put on by the student members of the FHSU Chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Musical Movement Station: Children will be guided to move to the different sounds of the animals in Peter and the Wolf, also put on by NAfME students.

Photo Op with Peter and the Wolf Characters: Children can interact and take photos with NAfME students playing the roles of the Wolf, Peter, the Bird and Cat.

Musical Storytime: Additional stories and interactive sessions designed to prepare young ears for the symphonic performance, brought to concert-goers by the Hays Public Library.

Following the performance, children will receive a free trick-or-treat bag as they exit, courtesy of Werth Wealth Management.

The Hays Symphony extends its appreciation to its many partner organizations, including NAfME, Werth Wealth Management, McDonald's, FHSU, the Hays Public Library, the Hays Symphony Guild. Special thanks go to the Riley Family Foundation, the Robert E. Browning Foundation, and an anonymous Ellis County Family for sponsoring the entire 2025-26 concert season.

Free tickets are available online at hayssymphony.org.