A special program that is “just right” for the MSO’s youngest listeners. Designed for students in grades K4 through 2, these 40-minute programs make connections with the following fields of study:

►Music   ►Social Studies    ►ELA

MUSICAL ZOO

November 5, 2025
10:00 am and 11:45 am | Bradley Symphony Center

November 6, 2025
10:00 am | Bradley Symphony Center

CONCERT DETAILS

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | Ryan Tani, conductor
Danceworks Performance MKE, guest artists
Jim LaBelle, narrator

Daniel Dorff
Three Fun Fables, for Narrator and Orchestra

1. The Fox and the Crow
2. The Dog and His Reflection
3. The Tortoise and the Hare

Camille Saint-Saëns
Carnival of the Animals

1. Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
2. Hens and Roosters
3. Horses of the Tartary (Fleet Animals)
4. Tortoises
5. The Elephant
6. Kangaroos
7. Aquarium
8. People with Long Ears
9. The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Forest
10. Aviary
11. Pianists
12. Fossils
13. The Swan
14. Finale

It’s a zoo in here – no wait – it’s an orchestra! Join the musicians of the MSO and special guests from Danceworks MKE as they impersonate a whole menagerie in Saint-Saëns beloved Carnival of the Animals. Daniel Dorff’s humorous musical interpretation of some of Aesop’s Fables will round out this wildly delightful program.

Teacher Resource Guide and Spotify Playlist

Click here to download the Musical Zoo Teacher Resource Guide.
Click here to download the Musical Zoo Social Narrative.

About James LaBelle

James (Jim) LaBelle is a graduate of Burlington (WI) High School and Luther College, Decorah, IA (1980), where he majored in vocal music performance and fine arts administration. After 37 years as a radio personality (26 of them as “Lips LaBelle” on 94.5 WKTI Milwaukee) he transitioned into consulting performing arts groups on marketing, development and administration. Now retired, he devotes his time to performing with Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee Chamber Choir, St. Stanislaus Parish mixed quartet and the Handbells and Choir of First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa. Married to Charmaine (Kuharske) LaBelle, they have shared a life of singing, dancing, gardening and world travel.

lunch space availability

Please contact the MSO Education Department at 414-226-7886 or email at edu@mso.org for pricing information and further reservation details.