The North Carolina Symphony announces a new spring teacher workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh's Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

The afternoon of education and music features a sneak-preview performance of the symphony's 2008-09 education concert, which the orchestra will present to the state's third- through fifth-graders during the upcoming school year.

Symphony Director of Education and Community Engagement Kathryn Wyatt is looking forward to this new event.

"For the first time, teachers will be able to hear the concert well in advance of the school year, which should assist them in their planning," she says. "We'll also be unveiling the new Education and Community Engagement pages on our Web site and review new online resources for teachers."

Authors of the 2008-09 Student and Teacher Handbook will be on hand to discuss "What Makes Music Music Around the World," the theme of next year's concerts. Other presenters include representatives from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the University of North Carolina's "World View: An International Program for Educators," and Duke University's Nasher Museum of Art.

The annual fall teacher workshop will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12. The spring and fall workshops will together provide intensive exposure to the Symphony's educational programs and expand the symphony's offerings in professional development programs for teachers in music education.

Spring workshop participants will earn a .5 continuing education credit.