A murder mystery introduced western Sydney students to the world of classical music last week.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra struck a chord with 3400 students from 37 primary and high schools during six interactive concerts at Riverside Theatre.

The group performed The Composer is Dead, a musical whodunit which introduced young audiences to different sections of the orchestra. 

It’s composer Nathaniel Stookey’s musical incarnation of the best-selling children’s book by Lemony Snicket.

Our Lady Of Mercy College, Tara Anglican School For Girls and Redeemer Baptist School were among the participating schools.

Redeemer Baptist School takes all students from kindergarten to year eight to the concert every year.

“It gives the children the opportunity to enjoy and learn about great music,” teacher Tanya Poyitt said.

“It opens up their minds and encourages many of them to take up learning how to play an instrument. They get to experience the beauty of something they wouldn’t otherwise hear, which is very different to music they normally listen to.”

Year two pupil Elaine Orange loved the concert.

“The Inspector was very funny and made us laugh,” the budding violinist said. 

More than 30,000 people each year connect with the orchestra through its learning and engagement programs.

The orchestra has had a western Sydney presence for almost 10 years.

“We want to engage with all of Sydney as not everyone can get into the city to see a concert,” learning and engagement director Linda Lorenza said.

“The different instruments and sounds hones students’ listening skills. I’ve had teachers tell me the program has changed students. 

“They become more engaged in the classroom and are more inspired to learn an instrument and go to more live performances. What they learn here is beyond the world of music and can be implemented in their whole lives.”

Comedian Frank Woodley starred in the concerts as the inspector, who interrogated different sections of  the orchestra to find out `who killed the composer’.

“There is nothing like being in the company of live music,” he told the Sun.

“It’s a wonderful way to introduce kids who have not experienced orchestra music before. It makes them more open to explore classical music.”

The orchestra holds a free concert in Parramatta Park every year and regular student workshops. 

The next workshops will be held at Our Lady of Mercy College during the July school holidays.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra performs for students at Riverside Theatre