Having never been before, I wasn't sure what to expect. The term "Kinderkonzert" threw me off a bit - I worried that my kids would be too old, but it sounded good enough (and it was affordable enough) to give it a try. I am so glad I did.
We arrived at the Pabst Theater an hour before the concert because the MSO plans activities for the children. At one station, children could take colored round stickers and add them to a blank staff printed on paper. They could then take the music they 'composed' to one of the band students on hand, who would play the notes for the children. At another station, the children could design buttons for themselves (this didn't really relate to music at all, but my kids still loved it:).
The best station, by far, was the "Instrument Petting Zoo" provided by the White House of Music. The children could actually try out child-sized violins and cellos; hold clarinets, flutes and piccolos and bang around on a snare drum. Both of my kids are considering playing violin, so it was wonderful for them to have the opportunity to try it out with bunches of other kids doing the same thing.
The concert itself was truly magical. I needn't have worried that my children were too old - in fact, I would say they were the perfect ages. I would highly recommend that the MSO change the name of these concerts to "Family Concerts" instead - they really are for all ages. All three of us laughed uproariously at the daft inspector who was investigating the 'murder' of the composer by questioning each section of the orchestra. It was funny, educational and the orchestra was phenomenal - I couldn't believe that they did all the work to put the concert together only to perform it once!
If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend the MSO Kinderkonzerts! The next one is Sunday, May 19th at 2 p.m. at the Pabst Theater and is entitled, Buttons and Buttercup, featuring the music of Mozart's famous opera, Bastien and Bastienne. Be sure to get there an hour before to enjoy the activities!
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