The RPM Challenge is simple: Record an album in 28 days, 10 songs or 35 minutes of original material, written and recorded during the month of February.

Such a simple challenge, with such electrifying results! More than 5,000 bands from all seven continents have participated since 2006, resulting in the creation of an astonishing 16,000+ new songs, all available for streaming in an enormous online jukebox.

The fourth annual RPM (Record Production Month) returns on Feb. 1, 2009, and sign-ups are now open online at the community web site, www.rpmchallenge.com.

This is not a contest and there are no winners or prizes or entry fees. The only reward the RPM Challenge promises is that it will leave you a better musician than it found you.

Bands must postmark their RPM 2009 CDs by March 1 to the RPM Headquarters at 10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 1, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801. RPM Challenge began in the musical enclave of Portsmouth, N.H., where 500 local musicians participated in 2006 before opening it up to the global music community. For more information, to see the participating bands, or to read the whole text of the challenge, go to www.rpmchallenge.com.

The PSO Brass Quintet (trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba) will take space explorers aged 3-7 on a journey to a galaxy far, far away to explore the stars and planets through music.

The PSO Woodwind Quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and born) will demonstrate their secret recipe on how melody, rhythm, harmony and instruments make great ingredients for a tasty “Song Soup.” Kids will learn how making beautiful music is quite similar to creating a delicious soup: each instrument or musical element adds its own individual richness of taste that creates the perfect final product.

Sponsored by Time Warner Cable, all Portland Symphony Orchestra Kinderkonzert tickets are $3 per person with advance reservation, $4 at the door (adult or child). For additional information, reservations and ticketing information visit www.portlandsymphony.com or call (207) 773-6128.

PSO Kinderkonzert Schedule for Brass: Blast Off!:

February 13, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:15 PM
Windham High School Auditorium
406 Gray Road , Windham

February 24, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM
Brunswick High School ’s Crooker Theater
116 Maquoit Road , Brunswick

February 25, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
South Portland High School Auditorium
637 Highland Avenue , South Portland

March 2, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
Manchester Elementary School
17 School Street , Manchester , ME

March 4, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
Reiche Community School
166 Brackett Street , Portland

March 5, 2009
9:00, 10:00*, 11:00 AM
Olin Arts Center , Bates College
75 Russell Street , Lewiston

March 6, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM*, 1:00 PM
C.K. Burns Elementary School
135 Middle Street , Saco

March 13, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Scarborough High School
20 Gorham Road , Scarborough

March 25, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
Waldo Theater
916 Main Street , Waldoboro , ME

* SOLD OUT

PSO Kinderkonzert Schedule for Woodwinds: Song Soup:

January 29, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM
C.K. Burns Elementary School
135 Middle Street , Saco

February 5, 2009
9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AM
Olin Arts Center , Bates College
75 Russell Street , Lewiston

March 31, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
Pine Tree School
183 Mill Street , Center Conway , NH

April 2, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
Reiche Community School
166 Brackett Street , Portland

April 7, 2009
9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM
Crooker Theater, Brunswick High School
116 Maquoit Road , Brunswick

April 14, 2009
9:30, 10:30 AM
South Portland High School Auditorium
637 Highland Avenue , South Portland

May 26, 2009
9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM
Carl Lamb School
233 Shaw’s Ridge Road , Springvale