DANBURY, CONN. — An event to benefit Healing Newtown, a project created by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission and supported by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut and the Connecticut Office of the Arts, will feature musicians from the New York Philharmonic in a performance at Western Connecticut State University on Saturday, March 9, 2013. The event will feature an afternoon of music, games and stories, beginning at 2 p.m. in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Tickets will be $5 for children and $10 for adults, and can be purchased at www.wcsu.edu/tickets or by calling (203) 837-TIXX. Donations also will be accepted to benefit Healing Newtown’s efforts to promote healing through the power of the arts.

Theodore Wiprud, vice president of education and the Sue B. Mercy Chair for the New York Philharmonic, said, “Musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform selections from its popular series of Very Young People’s Concerts, expanded to appeal to all ages. The event will include opportunities to interact directly with the musicians, as well as a concert full of great music, audience interaction, and an illustrated story of Philippe the Penguin.”

The event will begin at 2 p.m. with “Fun with the Philharmonic,” during which children can join a musician for musical games. At 3 p.m., the concert will feature works by Bizet, Mozart, Britten and more. Concert-goers can experience “Hands-On Fun” at 3:45 by trying a string instrument. Philharmonic musicians and participants will include Philharmonic Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young, as host; Anna Rabinova and Fiona Simon, on violin; Judith Nelson, on viola; Qiang Tu, on cello; Satoshi Okamoto, on bass; Dorian Rence, writer and narrator; with production design by Marion Schoevaert.

Lisa Scails, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, said, “The arts have an enormous ability to heal. We are humbled and appreciate the generous support by these incredible musicians to provide an afternoon of music and interactive activities for children.”

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.