Music Performances for Kids

by Garland Waller

Whether you live in a small town or a big city, there's always a concert going on somewhere. What I've learned about taking my kids to their brother's saxophone recital or their sister's flute concert is that kids just naturally love music and they don't require a virtuoso performance. Still, when a big musical event comes to town and children are involved, it's a wonderful experience.

In my area, The New England Conservatory has some great entertainment for kids and their parents these days. From the Top, a radio program for kids, is recorded in Jordan Hall on several Saturdays during the year and broadcast on National Public Radio.

Lest you think this is music for snobs only, think again. I took my seven-year-old daughter who does not play a musical instrument (although she can lip sync a serious rendition of "Hello Dolly" Louis Armstrong-style). We went with a family of four, whose two daughters are accomplished pianists. We all enjoyed this performance equally.

Learn With Music

When you enter Jordan Hall, you are given a sheet with the lineup of musicians and tips on how to behave during a performance. You learn about "good noise" (clapping and cheering) and "bad noise" (talking, coughing, and snoring).

In these recorded performances, the audience learns just how a radio show is taped, and about the equipment and audio tricks. There's something fun about being part of a live radio program.

To me, the most important part was the inspiration of seeing a 9-year-old Susan Jang play the violin like a pro. Abram and Ariana Falk, 16 and 15 respectively, put whatever sibling rivalries they have aside as they played with the fabulous Charivari Quartet.

Valuable Lessons

We live in a world where children often don't understand that being good at something means working hard and practicing. To hear these performers, whose ages ranged from 9 to 17, talk about the hours they practice and what music means to them in their own words was worth its weight in gold.

That day, we learned when to clap, when to listen, and how to listen. Parents loved the excellent musical arrangements, and kids just loved seeing kids who looked just like them on stage.

I'll give From the Top credit as well for making sure that boys and girls of all raceswere represented.

For $5.00 for grownups and $4.00 for kids, it was a great afternoon of fun. Be sure to find out about the programs at the music conservatory in your area!

More on: Bringing Out Your Child's Musical Gifts