During the current season, the Everett Symphony Orchestra has refocused on its mission to preserve symphonic music in the community while giving children the opportunity to experience music. An early November weekend demonstrates what the organization is doing to fulfill that mission.

On Friday, November 6, the Everett Symphony will perform its first pops concert of the season, "High School Musical Meets Broadway Classics," at 8 p.m. at the New Life Center, 6830 Highland Drive in Everett.

Under the skillful baton of music director Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, the orchestra will entertain audiences with selections from "Oklahoma!," "My Fair Lady," "Showboat," "Cats," "State Fair," "Guys and Dolls," "South Pacific," "The King and I," and, as the title suggests, "High School Musical."

Featured vocalist for the Friday show is Gail Neil, a mezzo soprano who is familiar to audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Neil has been a featured soloist with symphony orchestras, chorales, ballet and opera companies, in addition to her performances as a concert recitalist.

Tickets to the Everett Pops concert, priced at $25 each, are available at www.everettsymphony.org, or by calling 1-800-595-4849. Note that music students are always admitted free with a note from their teacher, and $10 student rush tickets are available beginning at 7:45 p.m. at the door only.

Saturday morning, November 7, the Everett Symphony teams up with the Imagine Children's Museum to present "Let Your Music Shine," a kids' concerette series featuring Lisa and Linda, at the New Life Center for two shows, at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

The interactive program encourages children, ages birth to 7 years, to clap and sing while musicians perform on violin, cello and string bass. The live mini-concerts are only 35 minutes long, and optional family craft projects are planned before each of the scheduled Family Together Concerettes.

Tickets are $12 each, with $2 off for purchases of 3 or more. Visit the Everett Symphony Web site at www.everettsymphony.org for the complete schedule and more information.

On Saturday afternoon, November 7, Gail Neil will again appear with the Symphony for a benefit concert at 3 p.m. at the New Life Center. All proceeds from the event, which is part of a Showcase Benefit series, will go to support the symphony's mission.

Top local professional musicians will perform and mentor highly talented youth musicians. The professionals will share stories about their early inspirations, and invite the youngsters to participate as performers, listeners and learners.

In addition to Neil's appearance at the benefit performance, talented young vocalists will also perform. Beth El-Fattal, who was an audience favorite at the Everett Symphony's concert, "Magical Music of Disney," and an accomplished stage veteran with principal roles with the NW Savoyards, is slated to perform on Saturday.