Kingston Youth Orchestra: Haydn & Gounod

If the march sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette became the theme for Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The Kingston Youth Orchestra pairs it with movements from Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 to open its season at The Spire.

The Kingston Youth Strings and A-Strings are also on the bill, so you’ll hear all three ensembles. Bring a young musician, or come cheer on Kingston’s next generation of orchestral players. Children eight and under can attend free with an adult or student ticket purchase.

Three ensembles open the season

The evening brings players at different stages together on one bill. The Kingston Youth Orchestra takes on movements from Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, his last symphony, and Charles Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette. You can hear how a group handles two very different jobs in the same concert. In Haydn there’s room for the sections to trade musical ideas. Gounod gives the players a small, slightly mischievous march to bring to life.

The Kingston Youth Strings and A-Strings round out the evening with their own music. That makes the concert a good choice if you want to show a young player what it looks like to work up to a bigger ensemble. Watch for how musicians look up for a cue, start together, or make room for another section to be heard. Those are small things from your seat, but together they make the difference between everyone playing their part and a group making music together.

Kingston audiences get to see the work that goes into a season opener. Come if there’s someone you know on stage, or buy a ticket because you’d like to hear more young local musicians perform. It’s a Tuesday evening at The Spire, and the ticket page gives you the options for adults, students and children. If you’re bringing a young child, check the complimentary ticket conditions when you book so your whole party is covered.

When and where

November 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. · Performance Hall, The Spire, 82 Sydenham Street, Kingston. Tickets $10 student, $17.50 adult. Ages eight and under free with a paid adult or student ticket. See event details and tickets.