Symphony scares up kids program

On the day after Halloween, why not treat your kids to some “suites” with their sweets?

“In The Hall of the Mountain King,” from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, will be one of the slightly spooky but family-friendly works on the bill for “Spooktacular,” the Spokane Symphony’s Family Concert on Saturday afternoon at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.

The main musical treat will be Prokofiev’s beloved “Peter and the Wolf,” the orchestral telling of the classic Russian tale. Kids will get to meet the brave and heroic boy Peter (represented by the string section) and the hungry, predatory wolf (represented by the French horns), along with a bigger cast of musical characters:

• A flitty little bird (the flute).

• A feisty little duck (the oboe).

• A stealthy little cat (the clarinet).

• A grandfather (the bassoon).

• A team of hunters (the woodwinds, timpani and bass drum).

The story will be narrated onstage by Steve Mortier, an opera singer and voice teacher. Visiting conductor Robert Boardman will preside over the Spokane Symphony.

The orchestra members might look a little … unusual. Many of them will be wearing Halloween costumes. The audience will get to vote on who has the best costume.

Kids are also encouraged to come in costume.

Other pieces will include the stirring “Mars, the Bringer of War,” from Holst’s “The Planets”; the scary music from the movie “Psycho”; and “Imperial March” from John Williams’ “Star Wars Suite.”

Be sure and get to the Fox early for some of the pre-concert activities, beginning at 1 p.m. in the lobby. Activities will include:

• An instrument petting zoo (noisemaking encouraged).

• An African-drum group from Grant Elementary School.

• A “Peter and the Wolf” puppet show.

This is the first of two Family Concerts scheduled for this season, aimed at children ages 4 and 12.