Animals painted by children from the west of the Island will be displayed at the Villa Marina when the Halle Orchestra performs the Carnival of the Animals on Sunday 24 July. The piece is part of the programme for a family friendly afternoon concert starting at 2pm that is ideal as a first introduction to classical music. Music will include Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals with poems by Ogden Nash, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite and excerpts from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev. Inspired by the Carnival of the Animals, 38 children from Mooinjer Veggey Nursery Class and 19 Year 4 pupils at Peel Clothworkers School have produced pictures of the animals including lions, elephants, kangaroos, birds and fish. Anna Jackson, Acting Head at Peel Clothworkers said: ‘We are delighted to have the children involved with this project. Not only are they enjoying the artwork that they have been doing, but to give them a connection to music with an orchestra as prestigious as the Halle is a fantastic opportunity.’ The visit of the 80-strong symphony orchestra to the Villa Marina is the biggest event in the Isle of Man Arts Council’s programme this year. The Halle’s music director Sir Mark Elder takes the role of Narrator for the Carnival of the Animals on Sunday (24 July) and will be the conductor at Saturday’s concert (23 July) with Jennifer Pike solo violinist. Saturday's programme, starting at 7.30pm in the Royal Hall on 23 July and including a talk from Sir Mark Elder, will see the orchestra perform the symphonic poem Tintagel by Arnold Bax, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor and Sibelius' Symphony No 1 in E Minor. Quintin Gill MHK, Chairman of the Arts Council, said: ‘We are very grateful to the school for their creative support as it is important to both the Arts Council and the Halle that young people are given the opportunity to connect with all types of music.’ Ticket prices start at ?16, concessions and family ticket deal available – family tickets cost ?45 for two adults and two children. Call the ticket hotline on 600555, visit www.villagaiety.com or the Welcome Centre. For further information please contact the Isle of Man Arts Council on 694598, or email iomartscouncil@dtl.gov.im alternatively, visit www.iomarts.com -Ends-