The Haggin Museum and members of the Stockton Symphony are pooling their resources not only to entertain San Joaquin County youngsters but also to teach them something about the way music and art can interact.

Today brings the third in a series of four Sounds Great! for Kids events at the Victory Park museum. Through the program, children ages 5 to 10 and their parents can experience how profoundly music and art influence each other.

"The theme of today's event is 'Pictures at an Exhibition,' based on the Mussorgsky composition," Haggin curator of education Lisa Cooperman said. "That music takes the listener on an imaginary journey through an exhibition."

During the program, live music will be played by the percussion ensemble Stockton Sticks. The youngsters then draw pictures of what they hear.

"The musicians will speak about their instruments and the role they play in an orchestra," Cooperman said. "And museum docents will help children look at the art in the galleries and create their own images."

The last program in the series, "Way Out West," is slated for Feb. 16. It will focus on Western themes in music and The Haggin's frontier exhibits.

For Cooperman, blending art and music is essential to a child's development.

"It helps them understand what people have done and why," she said. "Coming to the museum is a way for kids to connect to different kinds of culture and to learn to ask questions."

Contact Charleen Earley at features@recordnet.com.