This year’s performance will feature Witches, Wizards, Spells and Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare by Bruce Adolphe.

In Witches, Wizards, Spells and Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare, children are given the opportunity to witness actors and musicians creating theatrical magic as they perform excerpts from the texts of Shakespeare’s most magical plays. A trumpet, horn and trombone transform into Macbeth’s three witches; The Tempest’s wizard Prospero turns into a cello; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s four fantastical fairies become a flute, an oboe, a bassoon and a marimba, to name just a few of the musical characters created for young audiences. This piece is an excellent way for children to experience Shakespeare’s magic and to come to recognize different musical sounds.

The CCM Family Concert is designed to introduce families with children ages four and up to the joys of live performance. To prepare for the show or to just have some musical fun, visit the educational and exciting links below:

Chicago Chamber Musicians
Founded in 1986, The Chicago Chamber Musicians is Chicago’s leading chamber music institution, devoted to the study and performance of chamber music. Visit CCM’s website to learn more about Witches, Wizards, Spells and Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare and their additional programming.

SphinxKids
Learn more about other great composers, play with virtual instruments and compose your own orchestral movement!

San Francisco Orchestra for Kids
Visit this interactive site to explore and create music in the Music Lab.

Nashville Symphony Orchestra for Kids
Start by investigating the instruments of the orchestra, then visit a concert hall and meet some Nashville Symphony Orchestra musicians.

The Essentials of Music
The general music site includes a comprehensive glossary of musical terms, descriptions and definitions of musical eras and brief critical biographies of major composers.

Folger Shakespeare Library for Kids
This section of the Folger Shakespeare Library presents children’s activities and fun facts centered around Shakespeare and his plays.

Shakespeare for Children
This site offers adaptations for children of some of Shakespeare’s texts, as well as fun activities to introduce children to the Bard.

The Cast
See who's who among the actors.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.