"State National Orchestra" She launches her first family concert on May 14
ABU DHABI, 12TH MAY / WAM / The National Orchestra of the United Arab Emirates is preparing to launch its first concert for families within the “Tale of Melody” series, entitled “Carnival of Animals”, on Thursday, 14th May 2026, at the Cultural Foundation Theater in Abu Dhabi.
The concert provides an interactive musical experience for children and their families, allowing the little ones to learn about orchestral music through a live show that combines entertainment and an educational experience.
The concert addresses different age groups, and gives young children the opportunity to learn about the world of the orchestra, as its program combines storytelling, live interactive experiences, and animation shows that add a lively dimension to the characters.
The concert invites the audience to participate in the show, through a narrator who leads the children on an interactive musical journey, during which they participate by clapping, moving, and interacting directly with the course of the show. This experience gives children the opportunity to learn about orchestral music in a simplified and interactive manner, within an atmosphere that combines education and entertainment.
The “Carnival of Animals” show represents the first concert in the “Lane Story” series launched by the National Orchestra, with the aim of introducing children and families to orchestral music through an interactive experience that combines storytelling and live performance.
The series comes within the efforts of the National Orchestra, which aims to enhance musical culture in society and encourage new generations to interact with the arts and live musical performances in the UAE.
The program begins with a simplified introduction to the basics of music, allowing children to learn about the elements of melody, rhythm and sound in an interactive manner.
It also includes an activity based on guessing games, during which the National Orchestra presents short pieces that invite children to interact with the feelings they express, such as joy, sadness, or calm, through clapping, movement, or gestures, in a live experience that highlights the ability of music to express different feelings.
The famous musical work entitled “Carnival of the Animals” by French composer Camus Saint-Saens is the focus of the concert.
The work consists of fourteen musical panels, each of which embodies a different animal. These beloved characters are depicted with an orchestral lens that combines various musical themes and animation performances, while the narrator narrates the story throughout the story, helping the audience explore each section, get to know the heroes of the story, and follow the development of the scenes.
Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Director General of the National Orchestra of the United Arab Emirates, said that introducing children to music at an early age contributes to building their relationship with arts and culture in the long term, while this concert gives children the opportunity to have an interactive orchestral experience that stimulates their imagination and encourages them to discover music and interact with it in a way that is close to their interests.
She added that this comes as part of the National Orchestra’s efforts to enhance new generations’ connection to music and encourage them to explore their creative potential from a young age.
For her part, Monica George, Artistic Planning Coordinator at the National Orchestra of the United Arab Emirates, said that the “Carnival of Animals” show provides a musical experience suitable for children, as each piece carries a character and a special story that facilitates the interaction of the young audience with it, explaining that the show includes interactive elements that encourage children to participate directly with the music, while preserving the fun and imaginative character that distinguishes this musical work.
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