N.C. Symphony season includes plenty for families

The N.C. Symphony announced its plans for the next season this week and there's plenty for families.

The Young People's concert series opens Nov. 19 with Beethoven Lives Upstairs, which was hailed by Billboard magazine as "one of the most completely wondrous examples of children's entertainment ever!" It has excerpts from Beethoven's greatest works and an intriguing storyline. On Jan. 7, there will be a Mozart-inspired spin on Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham." And on March 10, it's all about Bug Songs as the orchestra imitates the sounds of bees, beetles, crickets and more. These concerts are designed for kids ages 4 to 12.

And Summerfest, the symphony's outdoor concert at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre, is pretty much always family friendly. Kids 12 and under are always free here and picnics are welcome. A few of the concerts stand out as particularly great for families:  the May 28 opener; Swan Lake at Symphony Lake featuring a 16-year-old pianist on June 25; the annual July 4 concert (which is free); and Pirates! on July 9, which will feature pirate music. The audience is encouraged to dress like pirates for this one. Fireworks follow the concerts on May 28, June 4, July 9, and July 16.