Symphony Brings KidSymphony to Burlington Stage
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra staged its annual KidSymphony concert at the Capital Theater for young audiences.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra held its annual KidSymphony concert Saturday at the Capital Theater in Burlington. The 45-minute show was free to students and children and included a costumed Wizard of Oz segment.
Why it matters
The free family-oriented program gives Burlington children a hands-on introduction to orchestral music, with instruments demonstrated and a chance to see them up close afterward. It also showcases local student musicians from West Burlington and Burlington High School.
The concert ran 45 minutes and was free to students and children, with the orchestra touring five Iowa cities that weekend. Attendance figures for the Burlington show were not reported.
The players
Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra
A regional orchestra based in Burlington that presents concerts across southeast Iowa, including its annual KidSymphony program for young audiences.
Robert McConnell
The conductor of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra who explained the musical pieces to children during the KidSymphony performance.
Kit Ming Verra
A local vocalist who performed as Rumi from the Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters and sang "Golden" with the symphony.
The details
Conductor Robert McConnell paused the performance to explain each musical piece while orchestra members demonstrated the sounds their instruments produce. Local vocalist Kit Ming Verra performed as Rumi from the Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters, singing "Golden" with the symphony.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026: KidSymphony concert at Capital Theater in Burlington
Weekend of Oct. 31, 2026: KidSymphony tour stops in Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant, Fairfield, Burlington and Washington
Dec. 12, 2026: Next SEISO performance, Hollydaze, at Chapel Auditorium
Youth Outreach
Free interactive concerts like KidSymphony follow a long-running model used by regional orchestras to introduce children to live classical music outside major metropolitan halls. Burlington's program places a local orchestra in that tradition, pairing musical education with pop-culture tie-ins to draw younger audiences.
Families in Burlington can attend future free or low-cost youth concerts to introduce children to live orchestral music. Parents planning a visit should note the Dec. 12 Hollydaze performance as the next scheduled family option.
The takeaway
Free youth concerts give children a low-barrier way to hear live orchestras and see instruments up close. Families can look for similar interactive programs in their own communities.
What happens next
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra's next performance, Hollydaze, is scheduled for Dec. 12 at Chapel Auditorium in Mount Pleasant.
Further reading
Explore more family programming in our Children's Theater section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Gate City.
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