The Chicago Sinfonietta presents Encuentros, a series of five new concerts for families on Chicago’s southwest side featuring chamber-sized ensembles of orchestra members. The first Encuentros concert pairs the Chicago Sinfonietta Brass Ensemble with the Pilsen / Little Village Neighborhood Choir of Chicago Children’s Choir in a program of traditional holiday favorites and Navidad carols from Latin America. The UNO Soccer Academy’s Advanced Guitar Ensemble will also perform a few pieces. The concert takes place Wednesday, December 12, 6 pm at the UNO Soccer Academy, 5050 S. Homan Avenue in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood. It will be followed by the school’s tree-lighting ceremony and refreshments. The remaining concerts in the series include:

• The Chicago Sinfonietta Percussion Ensemble with the Chiara Mangiameli Ensemble, Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the National Museum of Mexican Art
• Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion Ensemble with James Sanders’ Conjunto, Friday, March 8, 2013 at Benito Juárez Community Academy
• The Chicago Sinfonietta Wind Ensemble with Mariachi Monumental de Mexico in a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Thursday, May 2, 2013 at Benito Juárez Community Academy
• The Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble and Sones de México Ensemble Chicago in a special outdoor summer concert (date and location to be announced)

Tickets are $10 adults and $5 children, with special family packs for $20. Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-284-1554 or online at www.chicagosinfonietta.org.