WARSAW — Looking for a fun, free, and educational experience for your children? On Saturday, March 15, The Symphony of the Lakes presents its first concert of the year entitled, “Orchestra 101: A Passport to the Classics.” It’s being held at the Warsaw High School Performing Arts Center.

Tickets to the concert are free to all participants 12 and under and, prior to the concert as an added bonus, the orchestra will host an “Instrument Petting Zoo” from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Instrument Petting Zoo is an opportunity for kids (and kids at heart) to try out different orchestral instruments while orchestra members answer questions and demonstrate how to play. Each child will be given an instrument coloring book which can be used to color before the concert and intermission and as a guide to each instrument table.

Following the petting zoo, the Symphony of the Lakes will present its concert, “Orchestra 101: A Passport to the Classics,” featuring five pieces which will serve as an educational opportunity for the audience, especially the children. Students will have the opportunity to hear the musicians they will meet at the petting zoo featuring all instrument families of the orchestra.

Repertoire on the concert will feature The Nabucco Overture by Giuseppe Verdi, Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 by Edvard Grieg, Simple Symphony by Benjamin Britten, Overture to The Barber of Seville, and Symphony no. 1 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. The concert will run approximately 80 minutes plus one 15 minute intermission.

Tickets for the concert and instrument petting zoo are free for kids 12 and under, $5 for students ages 13 through college and $15 for adults. This is a general admission event and doors to the lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. and seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Symphony of the Lakes staff wishes to encourage the audience to reserve a free ticket for each attending child as to assure they have a seat. Tickets are available now either online at symphonyofthelakes.com, or by calling the Wagon Wheel Theatre box office at 574-267-8041. Pending availability, tickets may also be purchased at the door.