Meet the Percussion Family

Months back, back when spring seemed forever away, I saw an article in the paper about the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's Target Free Family Music series.  The purpose of the "concerts" for kids as young as three is simple.  Hook children on classical music at a young age and maybe they'll be future patrons and supporters of the orchestra as adults. 

"As the audience for live classical music in the United States has declined, orchestras have experimented with non-traditional formats to lure new listeners.

Some concerts have been geared to adults, such as the SPCO's series in suburban churches or a new series that includes a post-concert happy hour. Other programs are designed specifically for kids and a generation of parents who may be attending their first classical music concert."

Some of the concerts were sold out by the time I learned about through the newspaper, but I was able to get four free tickets to today's Saturday morning concert, Meet the Percussion Family, a part of the Start the Music! series.  The entire program was excellent, but I almost turned my kids off to the orchestra before we even left the house.  They were very, very overdue for a bath, so by the time they had clipped their nails, brushed their teeth, bathed, cleaned their ears, combed their hair and told they needed to wear khakis and polo shirts, my older one complained, "I don't like orchestras." 

Thankfully it got better from there.  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra hosted activities before the concert and the kids had the opportunity to play dozens of different percussion instruments, including a drum nearly as tall as Soren.  They also colored rhythm sticks and laced "wrist bells", both of which they got to use during the concert. While the kids had fun, I only wished I had grabbed a package of earplugs staff handed out, because I unfortunately had a headache after listening to little kids rock out on the drums (as much as they were playing their hearts out).

The 10:15 a.m. concert took place in the chamber orchestra's rehearsal space and the kids were able to sit on the floor at the musicians' feet.  I thought they did an excellent job of teaching concert etiquette, explaining the different types of instruments, including non-traditional ones (a saucepan lid and paper, yes, paper!) and introducing the kids to music through a variety of songs.  The concert included works by modern composers from around the world and the telling of the Norwegian folktale Three Billy Goats Gruff accompanied by music. 

Even though attending the concert required a bath beforehand, I think my kids still thought it was worth it and a good way to spend a Saturday morning.