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Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Brings Children’s Classics to Life with Once Upon an Orchestra at the Vero Beach Museum of Art

The Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA) is pleased to announce that the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will perform two free concerts at the Museum during the upcoming season. Once Upon an Orchestra, performances designed for preschool and kindergarten-aged children and their families, will occur as part of VBMA’s free admission Second Saturdays in November 2025 and March 2026.

On Saturday, November 8, the Symphony’s woodwind quintet performs Pinocchio at 11 a.m. The musical score—featuring the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn—depicts iconic characters and scenes such as Geppetto, Pinocchio, Harlequin, the Fox and the Cat, the Fairy Godmother, Candlewick, Toyland, the Whale, and more.

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11 a.m., members of the Symphony’s string family, including the violin, viola, and cello, will tell the story of the Princess and the Pea, a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Music and props help little ones learn to differentiate between characters and settings.

“We’ve been steadily expanding the variety of performing and visual arts offerings to our Second Saturday family days, and we are delighted to add the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s Once Upon an Orchestra to the lineup,” shares VBMA Public Programs Manager Pamela Londono. “This collaboration is a natural extension of our mutual missions to provide our community with innovative programs in art education.”

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins is delighted to return to the Vero Beach Museum of Art to present Once Upon an Orchestra and will serve as narrator for the 45-minute stories. Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County.

"These concerts at the Vero Beach Museum of Art will be fun for everybody,” said Collins. "Children and adults all enjoy a good story and good music! We love presenting concerts at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and our Once Upon an Orchestra series is a perfect fit. The VBMA and SCSO share a commitment to making the arts accessible and engaging for all ages, particularly young children and families.  I absolutely love how VBMA expertly integrates its exhibitions with educational programs for children through a multifaceted approach, ensuring every visit is a hands-on, multi-sensory learning experience."

Once Upon an Orchestra takes place in the Museum’s Leonhardt Auditorium. Following the concerts, families are invited to join the performers for a chance to try out the instruments.

The Vero Beach Museum of Art is located at 3001 Riverside Park, Vero Beach, Florida. Plan your visit at vbmuseum.org.