The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving presents “An Orchestra Meets a Dinosaur” 3:30 p.m. Sunday, February 11, in the Irving Arts Center’s Carpenter Hall. NPOI’s first children’s concert, the event continues the orchestra’s “Sundays at the Symphony” series, with all concerts conveniently scheduled for afternoon listening.

The orchestra will play Sergei Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf,” and Morton Gould’s “The Jogger and the Dinosaur” with narrators Amy Bishop or WRR 101.FM and Mark Lansdon, founder of Dallas’ Open Classical events. In addition, Ms. Monica Limberg, a violinist from MacArthur High School and the winner of NPOI’s yearly youth concerto competition, will play part of Jean-Baptiste Accolay’s “Concerto #1 in A Minor.”

This concert features a special ticket offer, to help families with children attend the event. To take advantage of the offer, attendees are advised to go to the Irving Arts Center website (www.IrvingArtsCenter.com) or call the Irving Arts Center box office (972-252-2787) and mention DINOSAUR-5. Then tickets will be $5 for children and students, $10 for seniors, and $15 for adults—in all cases, $5 off of the regular price.

There are some special events going on before this concert. In fact, there WILL be a dinosaur, hanging out in Carpenter Hall’s lobby, waiting for folks to take a selfie with him (or her?).

And, NPOI’s new “Friends” group invites audience members to come early for ice cream sundaes and program notes about the concert. The group meets at 2:30 p.m. in the main lobby, just past the refreshment booth.

The New Philharmonic of Irving’s conductor, Dr. Sergio Espinosa, is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. A specialist in string music education, he has given workshops and presentations throughout the United States, Canada, China and Australia. He also serves as Senior Music Examiner for the International Baccalaureate organization in Wales, United Kingdom.

The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving is a community orchestra, consisting of trained musicians who choose to continue to play their instruments while they serve in other professions: teaching, accounting, computer science, film-making and others. NPOI has performed for audiences in Irving, Euless, Dallas and throughout the Metroplex.  

For ticket information or reservations, call the IAC box office at 972-252-2787, or go to www.IrvingArtsCenter.com. General admission tickets to NPOI concerts range from $10 to $20, without the special offer described above. The orchestra also offers “flex” passes, including three tickets at a substantial discount from single ticket rates.

This concert season is supported in part by the City of Irving through the Irving Arts Board.