“Peter and the Wolf” has taken many forms since its composition in 1936 by Sergei Prokofiev. Many are familiar with the version narrated by David Bowie. Others might recognize the French horns, or the Wolf, as Scut Farkus’s theme in “A Christmas Story.” And still others remember playing it while they were budding musicians.

    The Dover Symphony Orchestra is offering up its version of “Peter and the Wolf,” as well as “Salute to Armed Services,” “A Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride” at its annual Young People’s Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Schwartz Center for the Arts.

    For those are not familiar with “Peter and the Wolf,” it follows the young Russian boy through his adventures in the forest with his friends the Bird (flute), the Duck (oboe) and the Cat (clarinet). Peter becomes an unlikely hero when he outwits the Wolf (French horns), a menace to Peter’s animal friends and village.

    The symphony hasn’t performed Sergei Prokofiev’s tale in nearly a decade, according to DSO President Laura Rogers, and they were happy to reprise it this year.

    “It’s such a popular piece, it’s a children’s classic,” she said. “It’s like ‘The Velveteen Rabbit,’ or ‘The Secret Garden.’”

    “Peter and the Wolf” has long been used to introduce children to different instruments, which is part of the appeal for the orchestra and narrator Betty May Hamilton.

    “In the later elementary years, children are getting interested in playing instruments, and when they come to the concerts and see the instruments demonstrated, they might be inspired,” she said.

    Hamilton narrated the Young People’s Concerts of the past, and was on the symphony’s board for 17 years, but hasn’t been involved lately. She said being back onstage with the orchestra is thrilling. This concert is particularly nice because kids connect with the music and the story.

    “Program music is good for children because it often tells a story or paints a musical picture,” she said. “The music really comes alive for these children.”

    Hamilton recommends familiarizing children with the story and music first.

    “The more you listen to something the more you enjoy it, the more you understand it,” she said.

    Part of its long-standing appeal for children, according to Rogers, is the fact that the protagonist is a child himself.

    “He’s a clever young man who takes a risk and comes out on top,” she said.

    While some kids will be in the audience, others will be on stage.

    The Little Strings Orchestra, conducted by Rogers, will open for the DSO at 2 p.m. with a selection including “Legend of Dark Mountain” by Soon Hee Newbold, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg, “Believe” by Ballard and Silvestri, “Gargoyles” by Doug Spata, and excerpts from “The Nutcracker” by Peter Tchaikovsky.

    Rogers said the 7- to 14-year-old student musicians take their work seriously by studying their parts and adhering to concert etiquette.

    “It’s our proudest moment,” she said of the group’s performance.

    Following both concerts there will be an instrument “zoo,” a chance for children to see and hear a representative from each family of instruments up close.

    The orchestra reminds the public that children younger than 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Actually, any number of children can attend free with a paying adult.

    Part of the DSO mission is to expose kids to orchestral music, and this is a way to make it fun and instructive at the same time, Rogers said. The Greater Dover Foundation and the city are helping with expenses, which is why they can be so generous, Rogers added.